Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson and the Kenya Alliance of Residents Associations (KARA) have agreed to collaborate on enhancing El Niño flood readiness in the city. The partnership aims to map, warn, and protect communities in Nairobi's 227 identified flood-prone zones. This initiative is crucial as the city prepares for the October-December rains. Governor Johnson emphasized the importance of residents' associations in the county's response to flooding.
The agreement was signed at City Hall on September 30, 2026, with KARA's Governing Council, led by CEO Henry Ochieng, in attendance. Under the deal, Nairobi City County will provide KARA coordinators with a detailed map of 227 flood hotspots and accompanying risk data to guide preparedness actions. This data will enable KARA to mobilize neighborhoods and identify vulnerable households across the mapped zones.
KARA will play a vital role in cascading early warnings and organizing community clean-up and drainage-clearing activities. The organization will also work closely with the county to formalize its network as an official community preparedness partner. This partnership will enhance the county's ability to respond to flooding and minimize its impact on residents.
As part of the agreement, the county will train KARA coordinators on evacuation procedures and hazard recognition. A Disaster Management focal point will be appointed to oversee the collaboration and ensure a coordinated response to flooding. Governor Johnson highlighted that some households along riparian zones have already begun voluntary relocation.
County teams are currently focused on drainage clearance and desilting work, particularly in the identified hotspots. Residents are being urged to dispose of waste responsibly and report problem areas to prevent flooding. The partnership between the county and KARA is expected to give communities clearer guidance on actions before and during heavy rainfall.
KARA's CEO, Henry Ochieng, noted that the partnership will enable coordinators to conduct household sensitization and support evacuation logistics throughout the rainy season. This will help minimize the risk of flooding and ensure that residents are better prepared to respond to emergencies.
The collaboration between Nairobi City County and KARA is a significant step towards enhancing flood readiness and response in the city. With 227 flood-prone zones identified, the partnership will help protect vulnerable communities and reduce the impact of flooding.
Key points
- Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson and KARA have partnered to enhance El Niño flood readiness across 227 hotspots in the city.
- The partnership will enable KARA to mobilize neighborhoods, cascade early warnings, and identify vulnerable households across the mapped zones.
- The county will provide KARA coordinators with a detailed map of flood hotspots and accompanying risk data to guide preparedness actions.
