Multi-agency teams deployed across city hotspots as county widens and deepens drains ahead of heavy rains
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has stepped up El Niño preparedness across the city ahead of the anticipated heavy rains, inspecting ongoing mitigation works along the critical drainage corridor stretching from the KIRDI/Bellevue axis to the main outfall along Mombasa Road and other flood hotspots, where teams are undertaking desilting and widening works.
The Governor also oversaw the deployment of more earth-moving equipment to key flood hotspots as the county intensifies efforts to strengthen the city’s preparedness and minimise the impact of the expected heavy rains.
The intervention is part of a multi-agency operation targeting flood-prone areas across the city, with teams widening and deepening drainage channels and clearing pathways to improve the flow of stormwater.
“We have deployed more machines to various hotspots identified by the multi-agency team as part of our El Niño preparedness measures. The teams are widening and deepening drainage channels and creating clear pathways for water to flow,” Sakaja said.
Sakaja has been chairing the multi-agency preparedness efforts, bringing together the County Government and key national and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
The Governor said the county was moving ahead of the rains by strengthening its preparedness and response capacity rather than waiting for flooding to occur.
“We cannot wait for the rains to come before we act. We must be proactive and address the challenges we know lie ahead. Our focus is on preparing now, strengthening our response systems and protecting Nairobians and their property,” he said.
Sakaja also urged residents living in riparian areas to move to safer locations, warning of the dangers posed by flooding.
“Many Nairobians have heeded our advice and moved away from riparian areas. For those who have not yet done so, I urge you to take this advice seriously and relocate to safer areas to avoid loss of life and property during flooding,” he said.
The Governor said the city’s preparedness strategy would be anchored on a “One County, One Plan, One Command” approach, bringing together different agencies under a coordinated response structure.
“This will allow us to optimise the resources available and guarantee the safety and well-being of Nairobians and their property,” Sakaja said.
The county has also established an Emergency Operations Centre and a dedicated emergency hotline, 1508, through which residents can report flooding and other emergencies.
Sakaja said the county had identified 27 drop-off points and shelters where residents could be evacuated if the situation requires relocation.
A four-day multi-agency simulation exercise is also planned later this month to test Nairobi’s emergency response systems. The exercise will bring together the County Government, National Government and other critical disaster preparedness and response agencies.
Sakaja said the county was determined to keep teams fully deployed and ensure works are completed in time to minimise the effects of the rains.
