Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has unveiled a KSh10 billion flood mitigation programme as the city steps up preparations for anticipated El Niño rains, with major investments in river rehabilitation, drainage improvement and road infrastructure.
Speaking while presenting Nairobi’s El Niño preparedness report to the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) at the Kenya School of Government, Sakaja said the county had made significant progress in efforts aimed at reducing flood risks across the city.
According to the governor, Nairobi has completed 80 percent of river clearance and rehabilitation works along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers as part of wider flood mitigation measures.
“We have made significant progress in preparing Nairobi for the El Niño rains, with 80 per cent of clearance and rehabilitation works along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers completed alongside Sh5 billion in ongoing infrastructure works,” Sakaja said.
The county government is also undertaking infrastructure projects worth Sh5 billion in partnership with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
The projects include road rehabilitation, drainage improvements, tarmacking works and the construction of pedestrian walkways in various parts of the city.
Plastic Waste Challenge
Sakaja said the county’s cleanup operations had revealed large amounts of plastic waste in rivers and waterways, describing the problem as one of the major causes of blocked drainage systems during heavy rains.
“As we intensify efforts to clean and unclog rivers and waterways ahead of the El Niño rains, we have encountered significant amounts of plastic waste, which remains one of the major causes of blocked drainage systems,” he said.
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The governor called on NEMA to strengthen enforcement measures to curb improper disposal of plastic waste, saying the challenge persists despite existing restrictions on plastic bags.
“We call upon NEMA to strengthen enforcement, as plastic waste continues to pose a serious challenge despite the ban. This must be addressed urgently,” Sakaja said.
He also appealed to residents and businesses to dispose of waste responsibly and avoid dumping litter into drainage channels and rivers.
Call for Joint Action
Sakaja further called for closer coordination between the national and county governments to speed up the remaining flood-preparedness work before the expected rains.
He said collaboration among government agencies would be critical in protecting lives, property and public infrastructure from the effects of flooding.
The governor said Nairobi’s preparedness efforts focus on accelerating the remaining interventions, strengthening drainage systems, and improving roads across the capital.
“Nairobi’s preparedness is a shared responsibility,” Sakaja said, adding that all stakeholders must work together to keep waterways clear and improve the city’s resilience before, during and after the rainy season.
Nairobi’s Experience During the 2024 Floods
Nairobi experienced severe flooding during the March–May 2024 rains, with informal settlements and riverbank communities among the worst affected.
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Kenya Red Cross situation reports recorded 10,789 affected households in Nairobi County by May 2, rising to 14,202 by May 15.
In the Mathare River area, 13 deaths had been reported by April 25, as floodwaters inundated homes and triggered rescue operations.
The World Resources Institute estimated that 20,968 families were displaced in Nairobi during the 2024 floods.
Its research also found that some areas received 400–660 millimeters of rain during the March–May season.
Blocked drainage channels, settlements along rivers and development in flood-prone areas increased residents’ exposure to flooding.
The damage disrupted transport, threatened businesses and destroyed household property, while contaminated floodwater raised public health concerns.
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