Nairobi County accelerates Ksh.2B flood-preparedness plan ahead of expected heavy rains

The county government is implementing a coordinated flood-resilience programme worth Ksh.2.4 billion, bringing together county disaster management teams, the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

Of the total allocation, Ksh.2 billion has been set aside for drainage and flood-mitigation works targeting 19 roads in flood-prone areas.

The interventions are aimed at improving stormwater drainage, clearing blocked channels, removing silt and waste, and addressing infrastructure weaknesses that have contributed to recurrent flooding in Nairobi during periods of heavy rainfall.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the county was taking proactive measures to prepare for the rains and minimise disruption to residents, businesses and critical infrastructure.

“We are working proactively to address the challenges of flooding before El Niño hits the ground. We urge our people not to panic but be alert and get information from our multi-agency team,” Sakaja said.

The Governor spoke during an inspection of flood-prone areas, including the Mombasa Road-Bunyala Junction corridor and Globe Roundabout, which have experienced flooding during previous heavy rains.

According to the county government, drainage improvement works are already underway in some of the affected areas, with teams opening and deepening drainage channels and clearing obstructions to improve the flow of stormwater.

The Ksh.2 billion drainage programme is expected to complement ongoing infrastructure interventions under the Nairobi Regeneration Programme, with the county seeking to address the underlying causes of flooding rather than relying solely on emergency response after flooding occurs.

The county government has also established a multi-agency framework to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery efforts before, during and after heavy rainfall.

Five specialised committees have been established under the framework to oversee key areas of intervention.

The Infrastructure and Drainage Committee will coordinate the clearing and improvement of drainage systems, rivers and other critical infrastructure, while the Emergency Response and Evacuation Committee will oversee rescue, evacuation and rapid response operations.

The Shelter and Relief Committee will prepare emergency shelters and coordinate the provision of food, water, medical assistance and other essential support to affected residents.

The Security and Traffic Committee will coordinate security, traffic management and emergency access, while the Communication Committee will strengthen early-warning systems, public alerts and the dissemination of information to residents.

Sakaja said the county was mobilising personnel, equipment and other resources to strengthen its readiness in areas considered particularly vulnerable to flooding.

He urged residents, businesses and residents' associations to support the county's efforts by keeping drainage channels and access points clear and adhering to official weather and emergency alerts.

“We don’t want people to panic. We want people to be proactive, to listen to information and to work with us. The multi-agency team is in place, and we are preparing before the rains intensify,” he said.

The county government says the multi-agency approach will also help address jurisdictional challenges by bringing together national and county agencies involved in roads, drainage, disaster management, security and emergency response.

The interventions are expected to strengthen Nairobi's resilience to heavy rainfall while reducing flooding, traffic disruptions, damage to infrastructure and risks to residents in vulnerable areas.

The multi-agency team is expected to meet next week to review progress on the ongoing works and coordinate further measures as the county intensifies its preparations for the rainy season.