Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has overseen the conclusion of a two-day Operation Okoa Maisha simulation exercise at Central Park, aimed at testing the city’s preparedness and response to the expected El Niño rains.
The exercise brought together the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi County Disaster Management, Kenya Coast Guard Service, National Youth Service, Kenya Meteorological Department and other emergency-response agencies.
The exercise was conducted under the “One County, One Plan, One Command” approach and involved coordination with neighbouring counties, including Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado, in a joint effort to strengthen regional disaster preparedness and response.
Sakaja, who was accompanied by Nairobi North Sub-Region County Commissioner Simon Odhiambo Osumba, NDOC Director Col. (Rtd) David Samoei, MBS, and Nairobi Disaster Management Chief Bram Simiyu, said the exercise marked a significant step in bringing different agencies together under one command to prevent loss of lives and protect property.
“Today marks the end of a two-day simulation exercise of Operation Okoa Maisha by the multi-agency team. The agenda is to save lives and property as we prepare for El Niño, which is expected to begin this month,” Sakaja said.
The Governor said the county had put in place emergency response mechanisms, including hotlines 1508 and 1199, as well as an emergency operations centre at Charter Hall, to ensure residents can quickly access assistance during emergencies.
Sakaja said the operations centre brings together senior representatives from various departments and agencies, allowing critical decisions to be made and responses coordinated in real time.
“In our centre of dealing with this, we have representation of all departments to the highest rank to help in making the decisions that are needed. If need be, we shall advise when and how to work from home or when schools can close, in consultation with the Ministry of Education,” he said.
He said the county was not waiting for the rains to begin before taking action, noting that El Niño intervention works were already underway across Nairobi.
“We are dealing with disaster prevention through El Niño intervention works that are ongoing, while also addressing arising issues from the expected El Niño rains,” Sakaja said.
The Governor said the coordinated command structure would also enable authorities to make timely decisions on measures that may be necessary to protect residents, including adjustments to work arrangements and school operations in consultation with relevant national government agencies.
The exercise brought together multiple agencies under the “One County, One Plan, One Command” framework, with Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties joining Nairobi in strengthening preparedness and coordination.
NDOC Director Col. (Rtd) David Samoei, MBS, said the teams were ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise.
“We are ready. With the guidance of the Governor and our teams working together, and having been trained, we are ready to address any arising issues,” Samoei said.
Nairobi North Sub-Region County Commissioner Simon Odhiambo Osumba said bringing the agencies together would strengthen coordination and ensure faster response during emergencies.
He said the joint approach under Operation Okoa Maisha would enable teams to respond promptly and effectively whenever incidents occur.
Nairobi Disaster Management Chief Bram Simiyu said Charter Hall at City Hall had been designated as the centre of operations, with the relevant agencies already positioned to coordinate emergency response.
“Charter Hall is the centre of operations and we have already set every needed agency on site. This will help us to respond on time,” Simiyu said.
The exercise comes as Nairobi steps up flood-mitigation measures across all 17 sub-counties, with the county undertaking drainage works, including the expansion, deepening and widening of waterways, alongside road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
The county has also intensified the clearing and desilting of drainage channels in identified flood-prone areas as part of preparations to minimise the impact of heavy rains.
The multi-agency operation is aimed at ensuring that Nairobi’s emergency response is coordinated under a single command, with agencies working together before, during and after any El Niño-related emergencies.
Sakaja said the ultimate objective of the preparedness measures was to protect lives and property and ensure Nairobi is able to respond quickly and effectively when the rains arrive.
