Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced a six-point plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño floods in the city. The plan, being implemented by a multi-agency team, aims to protect lives and property. The measures include clearing waterways and drainage systems, relocating residents from flood-prone areas, strengthening community preparedness, and improving the capacity of emergency teams to respond to flooding. Sakaja emphasized the county's collaboration with national agencies to ensure the city is ready to respond to emergencies.
The first intervention involves restoring the capacity of Nairobi's major waterways, including the Nairobi, Ngong, and Mathare rivers and their tributaries. The county is undertaking desilting, dredging, and deepening of waterways, as well as reclaiming riparian corridors, to improve water flow and reduce the risk of rivers bursting their banks. According to Sakaja, the county has all the necessary machinery for this work, and the process is ongoing.
The second pillar of the plan targets residents living in areas considered vulnerable to flooding. The county is encouraging residents living along waterways and riparian reserves to voluntarily move to safer areas. Sakaja cited Naivasha Road and Githogoro as areas where residents have cooperated with efforts to remove structures built on waterways. This initiative aims to ensure that no lives are lost and property is protected.
The county has deployed 4,500 Green Army workers to clean and unclog drainage systems and collect waste across the city. Nairobi generates about 3,200 tonnes of garbage daily, which is collected for disposal. Sakaja urged residents to support the county's efforts by avoiding littering and dumping waste in drainage channels. He emphasized the importance of community participation in maintaining cleanliness.
The fourth pillar of the plan focuses on Nairobi's six-borough administrative system, which aims to improve community mobilisation and preparedness. Borough managers are conducting civic education sessions to educate residents on preparing for heavy rains, areas to avoid, and what to do in case of flooding. Sakaja said the borough structure has strengthened the county's ability to coordinate interventions and communicate with residents at the local level.
The county has established an Emergency Operations Centre at Charter Hall, where senior representatives of agencies can coordinate responses and make rapid decisions during emergencies. A multi-agency team, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, and Kenya Red Cross, has been set up to coordinate preparedness, emergency evacuations, rescue operations, and recovery efforts. The team has undergone training on responding to El Niño-related emergencies.
The measures come as Nairobi continues to face recurring flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, with blocked drainage systems, construction along waterways, and settlements in flood-prone areas often worsening the impact of storms. Sakaja said the county would continue monitoring vulnerable areas and working with national agencies to ensure that emergency teams were ready to respond when needed. The governor emphasized the importance of early intervention, community preparedness, and coordination among government agencies in reducing the impact of the rains.
Key points
- Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja unveils a six-point plan to mitigate the impact of El Niño floods in the city.
- The plan includes clearing waterways and drainage systems, relocating residents from flood-prone areas, and strengthening community preparedness.
- The county has deployed 4,500 Green Army workers to clean and unclog drainage systems and collect waste across the city.
