Nairobi is set for a major shift in how it prepares for and responds to emergencies after Governor Johnson Sakaja-led Cabinet approved a comprehensive Disaster Management Policy and an Emergency Response Bill aimed at sealing long–standing gaps in preparedness and coordination.
The Cabinet sitting resolved to fast-track the legislation to the County Assembly, marking what City Hall describes as a transition from reactive crisis management to proactive risk prevention.
The move follows years of recurring urban fires, flash floods, collapsing buildings and public health emergencies that have exposed weaknesses in the city’s response systems and cost residents lives and property.
Under the new framework, Nairobi will establish a 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre, borough-based rapid response teams and a fully fledged Nairobi Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (NADEMA) to coordinate all rescue and mitigation efforts.
The county will also publish a detailed disaster preparedness plan within 60 days of the law’s passage, including an inventory of fire engines, ambulances, rescue boats and designated emergency shelters across all boroughs.
The policy further mandates citywide risk assessments, mapping of flood-prone zones, building safety audits and the use of technology and community alert networks to warn residents of impending dangers. Regular emergency drills in public facilities will also become mandatory.
Governor Sakaja says the reforms are designed to ensure that preventable tragedies become a thing of the past.
“Nairobi cannot continue reacting to disasters after lives and livelihoods have already been lost. This law is about preparation, coordination and prevention saying never again to avoidable chaos,” he said.
He added that the establishment of NADEMA will professionalize emergency response and bring all first responders under one command structure.
“When an incident happens, every second counts. We are creating a system where fire, medical, rescue and security teams operate as one unit, guided by a clear chain of command,” Sakaja noted.
The Bill also proposes the creation of a County Disaster Management Fund supported by budget allocations, private sector contributions and donations to guarantee quick mobilization of resources during crises.
Upon declaration of a state of disaster, the Governor will have limited emergency powers including evacuation orders and rapid procurement all subject to constitutional safeguards and legislative oversight.
Residents can expect faster response times, stricter enforcement of building and land-use standards and better public awareness on safety measures. City Hall maintains that the ultimate goal is not only to respond to disasters more efficiently but to prevent them altogether.
