Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured that authorities are working together to ensure Nairobi is better prepared for the expected El Niño rains. He stated that teams are working to unclog, dredge, and open up affected areas to allow water to flow freely. The works are being undertaken by the Nairobi County Government, the Nairobi River Commission, the Green Army, and the Climate Works youth contingent from the national government.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast heavy, above-normal rainfall linked to an intensifying El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. The downpours are expected to begin building from late September and peak during the October–December 2026 season, raising concerns over flooding, road disruptions, and possible power outages in the capital. In response, the national and county governments have intensified preparations, with drainage channels being cleared, flood hotspots mapped, and contingency measures put in place for possible evacuations.
Deputy President Kindiki said authorities had mapped “all the choke points which cause us flooding” and are working to address them. He added that budgetary resources would be made available to ensure the works continue. The latest weather projections showed that Nairobi was likely to receive high amounts of rainfall, with the rains expected to set in during the second and third weeks of October.
The government has also identified areas where residents may have to be evacuated if flooding reaches unsafe levels. Kindiki said temporary holding grounds had been prepared and stocked with food, non-food items, and medical supplies for people who may be relocated. He assured that any evacuation or relocation would be done humanely, with dignity to the affected people.
Authorities are also preparing for possible disruptions to electricity supplies during the rainy season. Kindiki said officials were inspecting power and transmission lines to reduce outages that could be caused by falling trees. The government is further concerned about vandalism, theft, and sabotage of critical infrastructure, particularly energy facilities.
Nairobi County is also continuing with its own flood mitigation programme. Governor Johnson Sakaja said additional machinery had been deployed to flood hotspots, where teams are widening and deepening drainage channels and removing obstructions. The county has identified 27 drop-off points and shelters for possible evacuations and established an Emergency Operations Centre and hotline 1508 to coordinate responses and allow residents to report incidents.
A four-day multi-agency simulation exercise is planned to test Nairobi's emergency response systems and assess its readiness to deal with possible flooding and other emergencies during the rainy season. The preparations are aimed at minimizing the impact of the expected El Niño rains on the city and its residents.
Key points
- Authorities have mapped flood-prone areas and are working to unclog and dredge drainage channels to mitigate flooding.
- Temporary holding grounds have been prepared for possible evacuations, with food, non-food items, and medical supplies stocked.
- Officials are inspecting power and transmission lines to reduce outages that could be caused by falling trees during the rainy season.
