Nairobi steps up flood preparedness as El Niño rains loom

Nairobi has stepped up preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains, with the county government and national agencies coordinating flood-control works and emergency response measures in identified hotspots across the city.

Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday chaired a multi-agency meeting at Kenya Railways headquarters to assess ongoing mitigation works and strengthen the city’s readiness ahead of the expected wet conditions, which are forecast to persist from October through February.

The meeting brought together the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), disaster management teams and other agencies involved in flood preparedness.

Sakaja said drainage improvement works were already underway in flood-prone areas, including along Mombasa Road, with agencies expected to undertake interventions within their respective mandates.

The county has also established an emergency response centre and dedicated communication channels for residents to report incidents, while rescue centres have been identified in preparation for possible evacuations.

Sakaja said some residents living in riparian areas had already moved to safer locations, but urged those still in high-risk zones to heed evacuation advisories before the rains intensify.

“We don’t want to lose lives. The lives we have so far lost should not recur. Let’s listen to government messaging and what to do,” Sakaja said.

The Governor said the focus was on acting before flooding occurs, rather than waiting for emergencies to develop.

“We are preparing early because we know what is coming. We have brought together all the agencies that have a role to play so that when the rains come, we are not responding in isolation but as one coordinated team,” he said.

County Green Army teams are also continuing to clear and unclog drainage systems as part of efforts to reduce the risk of flooding.

Sakaja said cooperation between residents and government agencies would be critical, particularly in flood-prone and riparian areas, urging residents to take precautionary measures and follow government advisories.

The preparations come amid growing concern over the potential impact of heavy rains on Nairobi, where flooding has previously disrupted transport, displaced residents and caused damage to property and infrastructure