Sakaja gives engineers, contractors 14 days to complete flood-control works

Sakaja directed the teams to accelerate ongoing works and prioritise areas identified as flood hotspots, saying there was limited time to strengthen the city’s drainage infrastructure before the rains intensify.

Speaking during a meeting with KURA Director-General Eng. Silas Kinoti, county and KURA engineers and contractors at Barabara Plaza in Nairobi, Sakaja said the focus should now shift to interventions that can reduce the risk of flooding and protect residents.

“The weatherman has told us what we need to do, and the El Niño rains are upon us. As we continue with the works we have been doing in the city, let us remember that, for now, the priority is El Niño hotspots,” Sakaja said.

The Governor urged engineers and contractors to treat the works as an emergency public safety intervention rather than routine infrastructure maintenance.

“As you carry out your duties, remember that you are not just doing work; you are saving lives. Your focus must be to work more, do more and, ultimately, save more lives,” he said.

Sakaja said residents were primarily concerned about whether roads and drainage systems were functional, regardless of whether a particular road fell under the county or national government.

“Nairobians do not know which road belongs to the national government and which one belongs to the County. All they want is to see work being done. So let us work together and demonstrate the seriousness that this situation demands. We cannot let our people down,” he said.

He directed the teams to prioritise roads and neighbourhoods that have repeatedly experienced flooding during heavy rains.

“The roads and areas that people constantly complain about — those that flood whenever it rains — must be our priority. We need to focus more on these hotspots so that we can address them in time. Given the urgency, we need to move much faster,” Sakaja said.

Kinoti said KURA had assigned engineers to specific areas and would ensure the required drainage works were undertaken within the 14-day period.

“We have a schedule for every engineer and their respective work areas. There is no time left, and we must be serious and do what needs to be done. The drainage works that are required must be undertaken, and this needs to be done within the next two weeks,” Kinoti said.

He said KURA would intensify road and drainage works, with drainage receiving particular attention as the city prepares for the rains.

“Governor, we assure you that we shall do our best as KURA to take our work seriously and complete what needs to be done, from drainage works to roads, before the rains. Our main focus is on drainage works. We want to ensure that we do everything possible to prevent loss of life,” Kinoti said.

The directive comes as Nairobi intensifies preparations for the anticipated rains, with county and national government agencies working to address known flood hotspots and improve drainage infrastructure across the city.