Sakaja unveils major Nairobi flood action plan after mapping vulnerable city zones

Nairobi County has activated a comprehensive preparedness plan to counter expected El Niño rains, committing Ksh2.4 billion to flood mitigation and drainage works across the capital. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed the initiative following a multi-agency strategy session.

The meeting brought together key public institutions, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Officials established five specialized working committees focusing on infrastructure, emergency response, shelter, security, and communication.

Technical teams identified 227 flood hotspots across all 17 sub-counties, targeting sites with undersized drainage, blocked river corridors, and vulnerable transport channels. Of the total budget, Ksh2 billion is set aside specifically for extensive drainage overhauls along 19 flood-prone roads.

Tenders for these civil works have already been awarded, with contractors instructed to start operations once administrative procedures conclude.

The effort aims to move beyond temporary patches, integrating with the broader Nairobi Regeneration Programme to clean waterways and expand river channels.

County environmental teams, alongside specialized workers, continue removing silt and solid waste from choked stormwater drains.

City Hall officials stressed that early structural interventions and clear public warnings remain critical to protecting human lives and safeguarding urban infrastructure during intense downpours.