Kenyan rapper Octopizzo has joined the growing public debate over Nairobi’s recurring floods, questioning how the city manages the billions it collects every year.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, March 9, 2026, the musician challenged city leadership to explain why Nairobi continues to struggle with poor drainage, flooding and basic services despite collecting billions in revenue annually.
“If Nairobi collects about KSh 13.8 billion a year, then we have to ask an honest question. Are our problems really about resources, or about how those resources are managed?” he wrote.
The rapper added that residents deserve to see tangible improvements if the county government is indeed receiving such large amounts of money every year.
“Because if billions are coming in every year, residents deserve to see functioning drainage, better roads, cleaner streets, and reliable services. Leadership today is not just about saying there isn’t enough money. It’s about showing the people where the money is going and why the city still struggles with problems we’ve faced for years,” Octopizzo stated.
His remarks come as frustration continues to mount following deadly floods that hit Nairobi after heavy rains on the night of Thursday, March 5, 2026, and continued into Friday, March 6, 2026. Several parts of the city were submerged as drainage systems struggled to handle the sudden downpour.
Roads quickly turned into muddy streams, vehicles stalled in floodwaters, and many homes and businesses were left counting losses as water swept through estates and commercial areas. In some neighbourhoods, residents woke up to find their compounds flooded and household items floating in brown water.
The floods also turned tragic. Police and emergency responders confirmed that dozens of people lost their lives across the country following the heavy rains. The national death toll from the flooding has risen to at least 42, with several of the deaths reported in Nairobi and surrounding counties.
The situation has drawn criticism directed at Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, with residents questioning why the city continues to flood every rainy season despite years of promises to improve drainage and urban planning.
However, Sakaja has defended his administration, saying the flooding crisis is a long-standing problem that predates his tenure. The governor has also dismissed calls for his resignation, insisting he will not step down over the disaster.
He has argued that Nairobi’s infrastructure challenges stem from years of underfunding and rapid urban expansion, saying the county requires far more resources to fix the city’s drainage network.
According to the governor, Nairobi would need about Ksh 25 billion to overhaul its drainage system and nearly Ksh60 billion annually to run the city effectively.
