Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has established five specialized multi-agency teams to coordinate preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains as the county ramps up drainage improvements and flood-mitigation work in identified hotspots.
In a statement on Friday, August 21, the Nairobi County Government said the teams will focus on infrastructure and drainage, emergency response and evacuation, shelter and relief, security and traffic, and communication.
Sakaja unveiled the teams while inspecting flood-prone areas, including the Mombasa Road-Bunyala Junction corridor and Globe Roundabout, where drainage works are underway to improve stormwater flow and reduce the risk of flooding.
“ I brought together different agencies in the city to address the coming rains because the rains are coming, and we have the notice from the Meteorological Department that we’re expecting El Niño and heavy rains,” Sakaja said.
Nairobi Identifies Flood Hotspots
Sakaja said the county had identified 16 to 18 flood hotspots, with drainage works already underway in several areas.
Teams have been opening and deepening drainage channels, clearing obstructions and improving storm-water flow as the county seeks to prevent a repeat of previous flooding.
Also Read: Nairobi County to Widen Rivers as Sakaja Ramps Up Preparations for El Niño Rains
The county has brought together disaster management teams, the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) under a Sh2.4 billion flood-resilience programme.
Of the amount, KSh2 billion has been allocated to drainage and flood-mitigation works targeting 19 roads in flood-prone areas.
The works will complement the Nairobi Regeneration Programme and address infrastructure weaknesses that have historically left parts of the city vulnerable to flooding.
“We’ve advertised and contracted different contractors in different places for the expansion of the drains now,” Sakaja said.
Drainage works are also being prioritized along Mombasa Road, where runoff from the Nairobi Expressway has contributed to flooding in some sections.
Sakaja said the county had contracted China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) to undertake drainage works along the corridor, including areas around Imara Daima, Embakasi Girls and Mukuru kwa Njenga.
Five Teams to Coordinate Flood Response
According to Sakaja, the five specialized teams will provide a coordinated response before and during the rains.
The infrastructure and drainage team will oversee drainage and flood-control works, while the emergency response and evacuation team will coordinate rescue operations and evacuation from high-risk areas.
Sakaja also said the shelter and relief team will prepare assistance for residents who may be displaced, while the security and traffic team will coordinate security and movement during emergencies, adding that the communication team will provide residents with weather alerts, safety information, and guidance on emergency procedures.
The Governor noted that the joint training involving the Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi disaster management teams, and fire officers was already underway to prepare personnel for emergencies.
“Our teams are going to be completely ready. We’re doing training together, the Kenya Red Cross, the disaster management teams in Nairobi, the fire officers, because they give us a pool of ready people together with the Red Cross volunteers,” he said.
Also Read: Sakaja Issues New Directives to State Agencies, Developers Over Cutting Trees in Nairobi
Sakaja Urges Residents to Keep Drains Clear
Sakaja urged residents, businesses and residents’ associations to help prevent flooding by keeping drainage channels clear and avoiding dumping waste in waterways.
He said residents dumped much of the garbage removed from drains and gully pots, making public cooperation an important part of the county’s flood-prevention efforts.
“We really must partner with the public in making sure we are safe, and it’s all for our safety,” Sakaja said.
Residents living near rivers and other high-risk areas have also been urged to follow official safety directions as the county prepares shelters and other emergency measures.
“We don’t want people to panic. We want people to be proactive, listen to information, and work with us. The multi-agency team is in place, and we are preparing before the rains intensify,” he said.
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