Sakaja waives approvals for minor repairs as Nairobi steps up El Niño preparedness

The waiver, which takes effect immediately and runs until the onset of the rains, will allow residents to undertake minor works such as installing gutters and improving their houses and compounds without going through the usual county approval processes.

Sakaja said the measure was intended to enable Nairobi residents to take early precautions and reduce the risk of flooding around their homes.

“I have waived the application and approval processes for minor building repairs in Nairobi from now until the onset of the El Niño rains. This will give our people an opportunity to put up gutters and undertake minor repairs to their houses and compounds as they prepare for the coming rains,” Sakaja said.

Speaking during an inspection of flood mitigation works across the city, the governor said he had directed the County Secretary to issue a formal communication on the waiver.

The move comes as Nairobi steps up drainage clearance and flood mitigation measures, with additional earth-moving machinery being deployed to identified hotspots and teams widening, deepening and desilting drainage channels.

Sakaja, however, warned that illegal dumping remained a major threat to the county’s efforts to keep waterways and drainage systems clear.

He said county teams had found mattresses, blankets, plastics and other waste dumped in waterways, obstructing stormwater flows and increasing the risk of flooding.

“Illegal dumping remains a major challenge to our drainage efforts. We have found mattresses, blankets, plastics and other waste blocking waterways. Our enforcement officers are on high alert, and those found dumping illegally will face tough action,” he said.

The governor issued a particular warning to private waste collectors accused of collecting garbage from households before dumping it in open spaces.

“To private garbage collectors dumping waste in open spaces, your days are numbered. We cannot have the Green Army cleaning Nairobi every day, only for private trucks to dump waste indiscriminately. Your licences will be withdrawn permanently if you are found doing this,” Sakaja said.

He said the county would enforce measures to protect drainage corridors and waterways, with private waste collection companies found engaging in illegal dumping facing permanent withdrawal of their licences.

Nairobi’s preparedness efforts are being coordinated through a multi-agency framework bringing together the county government, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Sakaja said the response would be guided by a “One County, One Plan, One Command” approach to ensure agencies coordinate their resources and interventions.

“As part of our El Niño preparedness, we are bringing all agencies together under a ‘One County, One Plan, One Command’ approach so that we can optimise the resources available and guarantee the safety and well-being of Nairobians,” he said.

The county has established an Emergency Operations Centre and a dedicated emergency hotline, 1508, for residents to report flooding and other emergencies.

It has also identified 27 drop-off points and shelters for possible evacuations, while a four-day multi-agency simulation exercise is planned later this month to test emergency response systems and coordination among participating agencies.

Sakaja said drainage clearance, vegetation removal, desilting and the widening and deepening of waterways would continue in flood-prone areas.

The county is also urging residents to take early precautions by keeping drainage channels around their homes clear and installing gutters to improve stormwater management ahead of the expected rains.