Nairobi completes multi-agency El Niño drill as neighbouring counties join response

Governor Johnson Sakaja on Friday concluded a two-day Operation Okoa Maisha simulation exercise at Central Park, designed to test the county’s preparedness and coordination in responding to floods and other emergencies.

The exercise brought together the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Coast Guard Service, National Youth Service, Kenya Meteorological Department and Nairobi County disaster management teams.

Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties also joined the exercise, with the teams operating under the “One County, One Plan, One Command” framework to strengthen coordination across the wider Nairobi metropolitan region.

“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 Nairobi had established an emergency operations centre at Charter Hall, where senior representatives from different departments and agencies will coordinate responses and make critical decisions in real time.

He said the county would use emergency hotlines 1508 and 1199 to enable residents to quickly report incidents and seek assistance.

“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,” Sakaja said.

Sakaja said the county was taking preventive measures before the rains arrive, including interventions targeting drainage and other flood-prone areas.

“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,” he said.

Nairobi has been undertaking drainage works across its 17 sub-counties, 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 areas identified as vulnerable to flooding.

NDOC Director Col. (Rtd) David Samoei said the multi-agency teams were prepared to respond to emergencies.

“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 the joint approach would improve coordination and enable emergency teams to respond faster when incidents occur.

Nairobi Disaster Management Chief Bram Simiyu said Charter Hall had been designated as the centre of operations, with the relevant agencies 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 county says the coordinated command structure will remain central to its response before, during and after any El Niño-related emergencies, with the ultimate goal of reducing loss of life and damage to property.