Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson on Monday chaired a Special Implementation Cooperation Committee meeting between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government to assess ongoing flood mitigation works and strengthen preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains.
The meeting, held at the Kenya Railways Headquarters, brought together key agencies involved in Nairobi’s flood preparedness and response, including the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), the National Disaster Management teams and other partners.
The committee was briefed on work already underway in flood-prone areas across the city, with discussions focusing on early action, preparedness and coordinated interventions to protect lives, property and livelihoods.
“We will continue working together to ensure that the city is prepared, resilient and ready,” Sakaja said.
The meeting comes as Nairobi intensifies preparations for the expected El Niño rains, with forecasts indicating that the wet conditions could persist from October through February.
Earlier on Monday, Sakaja appeared before the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, chaired by Taita Taveta Senator Johnes Mwaruma, where he outlined measures being undertaken by the county to prepare for the anticipated rains.
Sakaja said the county had established a multi-agency team bringing together the Kenya Red Cross, KURA, KeNHA, KeRRA and disaster management teams to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.
He said drainage improvement works were ongoing along Mombasa Road and other identified flood hotspots, with the various agencies expected to undertake interventions within their respective mandates.
The Governor also said the county had established an emergency response centre and dedicated communication channels through which residents can report emergencies. Rescue centres have also been identified in readiness for possible evacuations.
Sakaja said a number of residents living in riparian areas had already relocated, urging those who remained in high-risk zones to move to safer areas before the rains intensify.
“We don’t want to lose lives. The lives we have so far lost should not recur. Let’s listen to government messaging and what to do,” Sakaja said.
He urged Nairobi residents to heed government advisories and take precautionary measures to protect lives and property, noting that early action would be critical in reducing the impact of flooding.
Sakaja added that the county’s Green Army teams were continuing to unclog and clear drainage systems across the city as part of the wider preparations.
“We are preparing early because we know what is coming. We have brought together all the agencies that have a role to play so that when the rains come, we are not responding in isolation but as one coordinated team,” he said.
He stressed that cooperation between residents and government agencies would be critical in managing the expected rains, particularly in flood-prone and riparian areas.
The Governor urged residents in high-risk zones to take evacuation advisories seriously and work with authorities to ensure that preventive measures are taken before heavy rains set in.
