Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has outlined what he would do differently if he is elected Nairobi Governor, pointing to the city’s crumbling drainage infrastructure as the root cause of the devastating floods that have repeatedly paralysed the capital.

Speaking on TV47’s Morning Café show on Wednesday, March 11, Gakuya said that his first order of business would be the enlargement of the city’s drainage exit routes.

This is a measure he believes would reduce the waterlogging that has left roads impassable and displaced thousands of Nairobi residents during every heavy rainfall season.

MP Gakuya acknowledged that such an undertaking would be too large for the county government to handle alone, stressing that meaningful collaboration with the national government would be essential.

He described it as a major infrastructure investment that demands shared responsibility between the two levels of government.

Gakuya expressed confidence that with the right partnerships, stagnation of water across the city could be effectively eliminated.

Beyond drainage, Gakuya also emphasised the urgent need to build a reliable disaster management framework, one capable of responding swiftly and efficiently to protect lives whenever calamity strikes.

Nairobi has in recent days been battered by heavy rains, with scenes of submerged roads, swept vehicles, and stranded commuters drawing widespread public concern and renewed scrutiny of the city’s preparedness and infrastructure.

Gakuya is among several politicians who have expressed interest in the Nairobi gubernatorial seat ahead of the 2027 General Elections.