Nairobi County deploys more machines to flood hotspots ahead of heavy rains

The intervention targets known flood hotspots, including the KIRDI/Bellevue–Mombasa Road corridor, where multi-agency teams are undertaking desilting and widening works to improve stormwater flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

Governor Sakaja Johnson inspected the ongoing works and oversaw the deployment of additional machinery to areas identified as vulnerable to flooding.

“We have deployed more machines to various hotspots identified by the multi-agency team as part of our El Niño preparedness measures. The teams are widening and deepening drainage channels and creating clear pathways for water to flow,” Sakaja said.

The county is coordinating the operation with national and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

The teams are focusing on clearing drainage channels and pathways considered critical to the movement of stormwater, with the county seeking to complete the works before the onset of heavier rains.

“We cannot wait for the rains to come before we act. We must be proactive and address the challenges we know lie ahead,” Sakaja said.

The county has also stepped up its emergency response preparations, establishing an Emergency Operations Centre and a dedicated 1508 hotline through which residents can report flooding and other emergencies.

According to the county, 27 drop-off points and shelters have been identified for use if residents in high-risk areas need to be evacuated.

Sakaja has also urged residents living in riparian areas to relocate to safer locations, citing the risk of loss of life and property during flooding.

“Those who have not yet done so, I urge you to take this advice seriously and relocate to safer areas to avoid loss of life and property during flooding,” he said.

The county is further planning a four-day multi-agency simulation exercise later this month to test Nairobi's emergency preparedness and response systems.

The exercise will bring together the county government, national government agencies and other disaster preparedness and response organisations.

Sakaja said the response would be coordinated under a “One County, One Plan, One Command” framework, bringing the participating agencies together during emergency operations.

The intensified preparations come as Nairobi continues to address recurring flooding in several parts of the city, with the county seeking to improve drainage capacity and emergency response ahead of the expected heavy rains.