Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has directed engineers and contractors working on county and KURA projects to complete urgent drainage and road works within 14 days. This directive was issued during a meeting at Barabara Plaza in Nairobi attended by KURA Director-General Eng. Silas Kinoti, county and KURA engineers, and contractors. The goal is to prioritize areas with a history of flooding as the city prepares for the anticipated El Niño rains.
The Governor emphasized that ongoing projects across Nairobi must now focus on areas facing the greatest risk, with El Niño hotspots receiving priority. He noted that the weatherman has predicted the El Niño rains, and as preparations continue, the priority should be on these hotspots. Sakaja urged the teams handling the projects to approach the works with the understanding that their efforts could help protect residents during the rainy season.
Sakaja also called for closer cooperation between the County Government and national agencies involved in road and drainage projects. He stated that residents are less concerned about the ownership of roads than whether the infrastructure is functioning. The Governor stressed that Nairobians do not know which road belongs to the national government and which one belongs to the County, and all they want is to see work being done.
The Governor specifically directed engineers and contractors to identify roads and residential areas where flooding has been a recurring problem and make them the first target for urgent works. He noted that the roads and areas that people constantly complain about — those that flood whenever it rains — must be the priority. Sakaja emphasized the need to focus more on these hotspots so that they can be addressed in time.
KURA Director-General Eng. Silas Kinoti told the meeting that KURA had already divided the work among its engineers, with each officer assigned particular areas to oversee. He assured the Governor that KURA would increase its efforts on the affected roads while giving drainage infrastructure particular attention as the city approaches the rainy period.
Kinoti also stated that KURA's main focus is on drainage works to prevent loss of life. He assured the Governor that KURA would do its best to complete what needs to be done, from drainage works to roads, before the rains. The directive puts the completion of critical drainage and road projects within a 14-day window, with county and KURA teams expected to concentrate their efforts on known flood hotspots.
The county and KURA teams are expected to work together to demonstrate the seriousness that the situation demands. The Governor's directive aims to ensure that the city is prepared for the anticipated El Niño rains and to prevent loss of life. The teams will focus on completing urgent drainage and road works in areas with a history of flooding.
Key points
- Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja orders 14-day push to fix flood hotspots ahead of El Niño rains.
- The directive prioritizes areas with a history of flooding, with a focus on completing urgent drainage and road works.
- KURA and county teams will work together to concentrate efforts on known flood hotspots within the 14-day window.
