Nairobi is moving to contain the threat of flooding ahead of the expected El Niño rains, with the county government putting Sh2.4 billion into drainage improvements while bringing several agencies under one response plan.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has brought together the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), National Disaster Management Authority, Nairobi County Disaster Management Team, Environment Department, Nairobi Rivers Commission and other agencies to coordinate preparations and emergency operations.
The joint team will oversee measures before, during and after heavy rains, with a focus on protecting residents, property and critical infrastructure in areas that have repeatedly experienced flooding.
“This calls for us to prepare together, act early and protect lives and property,” Sakaja said.
The county has identified 227 flood-prone locations across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties. The mapping exercise will guide where equipment, personnel and emergency resources are deployed as the rains intensify.
The identified hotspots include blocked drainage systems, undersized channels, areas in need of desilting and waste removal, as well as river corridors and waterways where obstructions could restrict the movement of water.
Several roads and major transport routes vulnerable to flooding have also been listed, with the county paying attention to locations where flooding could make it difficult for emergency teams to reach affected residents.
The plan also places vulnerable communities at the centre of the preparedness exercise. Residents who may require advance warnings, evacuation, temporary accommodation, food, water, medical assistance and other emergency support have been identified for priority action.
Of the total Sh2.4 billion allocation, Sh2 billion will finance drainage and flood-control projects on 19 roads in areas considered prone to flooding.
Sakaja said the projects are already at an advanced stage after tenders were awarded, with contractors expected to move to the implementation phase after the required procedures are completed.
The investment will run alongside the Nairobi Regeneration Programme and other county efforts aimed at improving the city’s drainage network and reducing damage to roads and other infrastructure during heavy rains.
“The Sh2 billion will support a comprehensive drainage overhaul that complements the ongoing Nairobi Regeneration Programme. Our goal is to permanently address the flooding challenges that have affected the city for many years,” he said.
To streamline operations, the multi-agency arrangement has been divided into five committees dealing with different areas of the response.
The Infrastructure and Drainage committee will handle the clearing and improvement of drainage channels, rivers and other infrastructure, while the Emergency Response and Evacuation committee will prepare for rescue operations and the movement of residents from danger zones.
The Shelter and Relief committee will arrange safe places for displaced residents and coordinate food, water, medical care and other assistance.
Security, traffic management and emergency access will fall under the Security and Traffic committee, while the Communication committee will be responsible for early warnings, public alerts and keeping residents informed.
The county is also deploying workers, machinery and other resources to unclog drainage systems, clear waste and silt and strengthen emergency response capacity in the identified hotspots.
Sakaja said residents and residents’ associations will be involved in the preparations to ensure people in high-risk areas receive warnings early and know what measures to take when heavy rains hit.
He said bringing the different agencies together would reduce gaps between jurisdictions and allow them to respond as a single team rather than working separately during emergencies.
The county expects the flood-control projects and the new coordination system to improve stormwater management, strengthen preparedness and reduce disruptions in Nairobi when heavy rains occur.