Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has activated a multi-agency emergency command centre at Charter Hall, City Hall, as part of the county's preparations for the expected El Niño rains. The command centre, which will serve as the central Crisis Communication Centre and Emergency Operations Command Post, will consolidate information and direct field teams across all participating agencies during Operation Okoa Maisha. This initiative brings together various agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Coast Guard, National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), and county agencies.
The simulation exercise, which began on October 1, 2026, aims to test the county's emergency systems and response chain ahead of the October to December rainy season. The exercise will stress-test the full emergency response chain, from the first alert at the command centre through to field deployment, evacuation, rescue operations, and inter-agency communication. This will enable the county to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments before actual flooding occurs.
The Operation Okoa Maisha initiative operates under a "One County, One Plan, One Command" framework, bringing together Nairobi City County with the NDOC, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Coast Guard, and KDF. The command centre at Charter Hall will act as a single point where reports from security, rescue, humanitarian assistance, roads, drainage, and emergency management teams are consolidated into a common operational picture.
As part of the county's flood preparedness measures, Sakaja has overseen accelerated drainage clearance, desilting, and widening of waterways in identified flood hotspots across the city. Additional earth-moving equipment has been deployed to vulnerable areas to mitigate the impact of the expected El Niño rains. The county has also set up emergency hotlines 1508 and 1190 and identified evacuation drop-off points and shelters for residents in flood-prone zones.
Residents living in high-risk sections along the Mathare, Ngong, and Nairobi rivers have been directed to relocate to safer areas. Sakaja emphasized that this move is a life-saving measure rather than a punitive one, stressing that occupying riparian land is non-negotiable. The governor urged residents to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety and that of their property.
The county's efforts to prepare for the El Niño rains have been commended for their proactive approach. By activating the command centre and conducting the simulation exercise, Nairobi is taking steps to mitigate the potential impact of the floods. The county's emergency response teams are being readied to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency.
The county's preparedness measures are aimed at saving lives and property. With the El Niño rains expected to have a significant impact on the region, Nairobi's proactive approach is seen as a positive step towards minimizing the effects of the floods. The county will continue to work with its partners to ensure that residents are safe and that the impact of the floods is minimized.
Key points
- Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson activates multi-agency command centre ahead of El Niño rains
- The simulation exercise aims to test the county's emergency systems and response chain
- The county has set up emergency hotlines and identified evacuation drop-off points and shelters for residents in flood-prone zones
