Nairobi County steps up flood response as heavy rains disrupt city infrastructure

In a statement, Disaster Management Chief Officer Bramwel Simuyu said the county has deployed additional teams to critical hotspots, stepping up desilting of drainage channels, rehabilitation of river channels, installation of culverts, and repair of flood-damaged roads across several wards.

The interventions are focused on informal settlements, major transport corridors, and rapidly growing neighbourhoods where drainage systems have been repeatedly overwhelmed. The works build on earlier operations launched in March in flood-prone areas following severe flooding last month.

County teams have been clearing blocked stormwater drains, expanding waterways, and removing solid waste that authorities say has contributed to recurring flooding in the city. The county says the measures are both immediate and part of a broader effort to strengthen long-term flood resilience.

At the same time, the county has pushed for closer coordination with national road agencies, which manage key transport corridors within the capital.

Governor Johnson Sakaja directed the agencies to urgently address flood-prone sections under their mandate, citing the need for a coordinated response across jurisdictions.

“The city cannot afford fragmented action in the face of flooding,” Sakaja said, calling for “urgency, coordination, and accountability” in restoring affected roads.

Following the directive, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has deployed teams along Ruai Bypass, Mombasa Road, and Uhuru Highway, while the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has redeployed contractors in Westlands and surrounding areas to address drainage and road damage.

The county also says it is scaling up longer-term measures, including expansion of drainage infrastructure, protection of riparian reserves, enforcement against illegal dumping, and integration of climate-resilient urban planning.