Nairobi County has intensified preparations for the expected El Niño rains as it works to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding in different parts of the city.
Governor Johnson Sakaja said the county has deployed environmental teams, including members of the Green Army, to clear blocked waterways, drainage channels and sections of rivers ahead of the heavy rains.
Speaking during an interview on Inooro FM, Sakaja said the teams are removing accumulated silt and debris from waterways to create clear paths for stormwater during periods of heavy rainfall.
The county’s efforts are focused on areas where blocked drainage systems and waterways could increase the risk of flooding.
Sakaja said clearing the waterways is part of measures being implemented before the rains begin, with teams working on the ground to open drainage systems and improve the movement of stormwater.
The governor assured that the county is working to ensure that Nairobi’s drainage and river networks can handle increased water volumes during heavy rainfall.
The immediate clearing work is being carried out alongside longer-term projects aimed at improving the city’s waterways and drainage infrastructure.
Nairobi River Sections Being Widened
Nairobi County is also undertaking interventions under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, including the widening of sections of the river.
According to Sakaja, the project is intended to increase the amount of water the river can carry and improve water flow along the river system.
Also Read: Nairobi County to Freeze All New Employee Recruitment and Internships
“We are preparing Nairobi before the rains come. Our teams are on the ground clearing blocked waterways, opening up drainage systems and ensuring that our rivers have the capacity to carry storm water. The widening of the Nairobi River under the regeneration programme is also part of this long-term preparedness,” Sakaja said.
The river works are expected to complement the ongoing drainage and waterway clearing activities by addressing some of the structural challenges that affect the movement of stormwater across the city.
The county’s approach combines short-term flood prevention measures with longer-term river regeneration projects as Nairobi prepares for the expected El Niño rains.
Nairobi Named Among 18 Counties at High Risk of El Niño Rains From October
The government has placed 18 counties on high alert ahead of the anticipated El Niño weather conditions expected from October.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement on August 10, said the government had mapped areas that could face flooding, landslides, drought, disease outbreaks, infrastructure damage and disruption of essential services.
Also Read: Nairobi’s Road Network Set for Expansion With New 19.5km Talanta Stadium Network
“Areas exposed to various risks, including flash floods, landslides, drought, disease outbreaks and infrastructure damage, have been mapped as part of the wider plan to mitigate the effects of El Niño,” Murkomen said.
The warning comes ahead of the October-November-December (OND) rainfall season, with the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasting above-normal rainfall in several parts of the country.
The affected counties include Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale in the Coast region; Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori in the Lake Basin; and Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot and Narok in the Rift Valley.
Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu have also been identified as urban areas at risk of flooding, drainage problems and disruption of essential services.
In North Eastern Kenya, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera have been flagged for risks including drought, water shortages, livestock losses and food insecurity.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
