Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson and the Kenya Alliance of Residents Associations (KARA) have formed a partnership to enhance community-level preparedness for El Niño floods in Nairobi. The agreement, reached on September 30, 2026, aims to integrate residents' associations into the county's flood response structure. This collaboration seeks to mitigate the impact of the October–December rainy season on the city's residents. The talks at City Hall included KARA's Governing Council, led by CEO Henry Ochieng.
The partnership involves the Nairobi City County Government sharing a map of 227 identified flood hotspots with KARA coordinators, along with associated risk data. The county will also formalize KARA's network as an official community preparedness partner and provide training on evacuation procedures and hazard recognition. A Disaster Management focal point will oversee the collaboration. KARA will mobilize residents' associations in flood-prone areas and distribute early warnings and preparedness guidance at the household level.
Under the arrangement, KARA will organize community clean-up and drainage-clearing activities, identify vulnerable residents, and provide a coordinated channel for reporting incidents. Governor Sakaja emphasized the importance of integrating residents' associations into the county's response to ensure effective El Niño intervention works. He noted that some residents living along riparian zones had already begun relocating voluntarily after understanding the risks.
The county has been running drainage clearance and desilting operations while directing multi-agency teams to focus on the identified hotspots. Residents are urged to dispose of waste responsibly and alert authorities to areas needing attention. KARA CEO Henry Ochieng stated that the partnership would provide communities with clearer guidance on actions to take before and during heavy rainfall.
Ochieng added that KARA would convene meetings with communities across different neighborhoods to address location-specific risks. The enhanced mobilisation programme will run throughout the rainy season, with KARA coordinators conducting household sensitization, supporting evacuation logistics, and liaising with emergency response centres.
The partnership aims to make sure that people do not lose lives when it can be avoided. Governor Sakaja stressed that evacuation is primarily a life-saving measure. The county and KARA are working together to ensure that residents are prepared and equipped to handle the challenges posed by El Niño floods.
The collaboration between the Nairobi City County Government and KARA demonstrates a commitment to proactive measures in mitigating the impact of El Niño floods in Nairobi. By working together, the two parties aim to reduce the risks associated with the October–December rainy season and ensure a more effective response to flood-related emergencies.
Key points
- Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson partners with KARA to prepare for El Niño floods in 227 hotspots.
- The partnership aims to integrate residents' associations into the county's flood response structure.
- KARA will mobilize residents' associations and distribute early warnings and preparedness guidance at the household level.
