Sakaja Orders 48-Hour Recovery Plan to Map Nairobi Infrastructure Repairs

Nairobi City County has initiated an emergency 48-hour window for infrastructure agencies to produce a comprehensive technical report on flood damage across the capital. Governor Johnson Sakaja issued the directive on Monday following a high-level meeting with the Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and the County.

The order requires technical teams to identify drainage bottlenecks and damaged road sections across all 17 sub-counties. This assessment must include a costed recovery plan, specifying the exact nature of the work required and the agencies responsible for execution. The move comes as the city enters a critical phase of managing the impact of heavy rains that began on March 6, which have caused significant disruptions to the transport network.

Infrastructure agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), are now tasked with collaborating on the joint evaluation. The primary focus remains on heavily affected road corridors where floodwaters have compromised the structural integrity of the pavement or overwhelmed existing culverts.

City Hall has also confirmed that enforcement against riparian encroachment will intensify as part of the broader restoration strategy. Governor Sakaja stated that machinery has been assembled to remove structures built along riverbanks, which have been identified as a primary cause of blockages during the current downpour. Areas such as Brookside and various sections along the Nairobi River corridor are earmarked for immediate intervention to restore natural water flow.

The multi-agency task force is further directed to prioritize the de-silting of drainage systems that are currently holding stagnant water. This is intended to mitigate further flooding risks as the rainy season continues. Beyond drainage, the committee agreed on a plan to repair and recarpet roads that have suffered surface erosion, alongside the installation of new street lighting in informal settlements and along major highways.

In a related development, authorities reported that repair works on the major water transmission pipeline along Outer Ring Road have been completed. The line was damaged by flood pressure, but supply has now been restored to Buruburu, Kariobangi, Dandora, and parts of Mathare.

To facilitate private sector recovery, the county has maintained a 30-day waiver on levies and approval requirements for property owners conducting urgent structural repairs. This waiver, which expires in early April, is intended to remove bureaucratic hurdles for those looking to secure homes and businesses damaged by the water.

Financial estimates suggest that a permanent overhaul of the city drainage system could require approximately Sh25 billion. The Governor has previously noted that the county cannot fund these large-scale infrastructure projects independently, necessitating the current partnership with the national government to unlock the required capital for long-term resilience.