Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson on Monday, September 28 received progress reports on ongoing El Niño preparedness works from multi-agency teams as the County steps up interventions ahead of the expected rains.
The meeting brought together the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), National Police Service (NPS), Green Nairobi, Disaster Management teams, KURA, KeNHA, Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi Boroughs and other agencies involved in the city’s preparedness and response efforts.
Sakaja received reports on works already completed, those currently underway and additional interventions required, while directing the agencies to accelerate ongoing works, particularly drainage and other flood-mitigation interventions targeting identified hotspots.
The Governor assured the teams of the County’s full support as they continue with their duties, while directing all agencies to operate under “one team, one command, one control and one direction.”
“All the agencies involved have to be represented at the highest level so that we can make decisions from our command centre. We just need to have the people needed here,” Sakaja said.
He urged the various teams to accelerate works already underway, particularly drainage and other flood-mitigation interventions, while prioritising areas identified as flood hotspots.
“Let us all accelerate the works that are already ongoing. This Charter Hall will be changed to one command centre for all, so that we have one report and one communication. As we do so, let us all unite and do our job together. What should be our charge is to save lives and property and to work diligently,” he said.
Sakaja said the County had already identified flood-prone areas and urged agencies to give priority to the hotspots as they implement mitigation measures.
Nairobi has been intensifying drainage clearance, desilting, widening and deepening of waterways, as well as deploying additional earth-moving equipment to vulnerable areas.
Protecting lives in riparian areas
The Governor also directed that residents living along major rivers and on riparian land be moved from high-risk areas, saying the exercise was necessary to protect lives.
He said many residents had already moved voluntarily, while those who remained in dangerous areas would be required to relocate as authorities intensify enforcement.
“Occupying riparian land is non-negotiable. You must move. We do not want you to die. For those who have moved, that is the way to go. For those who have not, the teams have been directed to move you,” he said.
Sakaja said the County and its partners would continue evacuating residents living in high-risk areas along the Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi rivers.
“We have lost many lives along these rivers in the past, and we shall not allow this to continue,” he said, adding that authorities would work with affected residents to clear waterways and protect lives and property.
He emphasised that the evacuation exercise was aimed at saving lives and should not be interpreted as displacement.
“Let me make it clear: evacuating people is from the dangerous places, not displacing them. We are saving them,” he said.
Sakaja cited ongoing interventions along Naivasha Road as an example of coordinated action, where authorities are working with residents to facilitate the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas while clearing blocked waterways and drainage channels.
“This is not about politics; it is about our people. It is about saving lives and property,” Sakaja said.
The Governor also said the establishment of six boroughs, each headed by a borough manager, had strengthened coordination and enabled faster response at the local level. The boroughs cover Central, Northern, Eastern, South Eastern, Southern and Western Nairobi.
As part of efforts to strengthen coordination and communication during the rainy season, Sakaja directed that representatives of the various agencies work closely under a unified command structure to coordinate operations, share reports and ensure residents receive timely and consistent updates.
