Landlords urged to clear drainage, inspect buildings ahead of El Niño rains

In a statement, ISK President Eric Nyadimo said early maintenance and contingency planning could help reduce property damage, protect occupants and maintain essential building services during periods of heavy rainfall.

Property managers have been advised to clear silt, soil, plastic, leaves, waste and other debris from surface drains, stormwater channels and culverts to prevent blockages.

They have also been urged to repair or replace damaged and missing manhole covers, inspect and clean gutters, downpipes and roof outlets, and assess whether existing drainage systems can handle increased runoff.

ISK further recommends inspecting sewer and sanitation systems for blockages and backflow risks, while property owners with septic systems have been advised to empty tanks where capacity is limited to reduce the risk of overflow and contamination.

The surveyors asked the managers to service pumps and sump systems, test controls and standby equipment, and check drainage outside their properties since blockages on adjoining roads and shared stormwater systems can cause flooding within buildings.

In flood-prone areas, ISK called for clear evacuation routes and emergency procedures for occupants. Property owners were also advised against using designated river and riparian areas for temporary storage, occupation or other activities that could expose people and property to flooding.

Buildings located near lakes, wetlands and low-lying areas should monitor water levels and establish procedures for restricting access when conditions become unsafe.

ISK also called for inspections of retaining walls, foundations and slopes for signs of waterlogging, erosion, settlement or instability. Building managers were advised to review basement waterproofing, drainage and sump-pump systems and avoid storing critical equipment in areas vulnerable to water ingress.

Basement parking may also need to be restricted during periods of intense rainfall where a flooding risk has been identified.

The institution further recommends inspections of roofs, façades, windows, external walls and other vulnerable building components, as well as electrical rooms, distribution boards and generators for potential water ingress.

Generators, pumps, lifts, HVAC systems and fire protection systems should be serviced before rainfall intensifies, while property managers should confirm fuel availability, automatic transfer systems and safe access to plant rooms.

ISK urged property managers to train facilities teams, security personnel, fire wardens and other key staff on emergency response procedures.

They should maintain updated contacts for county disaster-response teams, fire and police services, insurers, utility providers and contractors, while keeping essential supplies such as fuel, drinking water, first-aid equipment, sandbags and torches based on the property's risk profile.

The institution further called for clear systems for reporting and responding to flooding, water ingress, structural defects and power failures, as well as reviews of property and business-interruption insurance arrangements.

Staff and contractors should be discouraged from making non-essential journeys during severe weather, with procedures put in place to confirm their safety.

“Where a property presents an immediate risk to occupants or the public, appropriate restrictions and corrective measures should be implemented without delay,” Nyadimo stated.

The measures come amid forecasts of enhanced rainfall across Kenya during the October-December 2026 short-rains season.

The World Meteorological Organization reported on July 31 that a strong El Niño was developing and expected to strengthen between August and October, with its September update indicating that the event was continuing to intensify and could reach very strong levels before peaking towards the end of the year.

Recent guidance from the Kenya Meteorological Department indicates that above-average rainfall could affect about 80 per cent of the country, with rainfall expected to begin or increase in many areas during the second and third weeks of October.