President orders military to tackle Nairobi floods as state projects near completion

The government has mobilized the Kenya Defence Forces to manage the unfolding flood crisis in Nairobi, following a direct order from President William Ruto. The military's rapid response team is tasked with evacuating residents and mitigating the impact of heavy rains, which have paralyzed transport and damaged informal settlements across the capital.

While the emergency response takes priority, the latest government bulletin highlights significant progress in the infrastructure sector. President Ruto recently toured the ongoing construction of the Gatundu Sub-County Level V Hospital in Mutuini, Dagoretti South. The facility, which is a critical piece of healthcare infrastructure, is entering its final phases.

Government records indicate that the Sh500 million medical facility is scheduled for completion within the next year. This follows a commitment by the executive to upgrade the site to meet the growing healthcare demands of the region. The project involves specialized wards, diagnostic wings, and improved outpatient capacity.

In addition to healthcare, the Office of the President confirmed that the Mwakirunge Market in Kisauni, Mombasa County, is now 98 percent complete. This market is expected to provide modern trading spaces for thousands of vendors, reducing roadside congestion and improving sanitation in the coastal region.

The Mwakirunge project is part of a wider state strategy to construct 400 modern markets across the country. These hubs are designed to integrate cold storage facilities and digital payment systems to formalize the local trade economy. Officials noted that the final touches involve electrical installations and external paving.

Parallel to physical construction, the government is pushing for digital transformation within the academic sector. During the Vice Chancellors’ Summit in Mombasa, PS Tanui urged universities to become the primary drivers of the nation's digital transition. The goal is to align higher education infrastructure with the requirements of the Silicon Savannah.

The convergence of disaster management and infrastructure delivery remains a central theme for the administration. As the military deploys specialized equipment to clear drainage systems and rescue stranded citizens, the Ministry of Roads and Public Works is under pressure to assess the resilience of recent projects against extreme weather patterns.

Engineers are currently monitoring water levels at major construction sites to prevent structural damage. The military's involvement is expected to last until the weather stabilizes, while the Ministry of Interior oversees the distribution of essential supplies to displaced families in flood-prone areas like Mukuru and Mathare.

Despite the environmental challenges, the state remains optimistic about its project timelines. The completion of the Mwakirunge Market and the progress at Mutuini Hospital are cited as evidence of effective project management. The current rains may necessitate temporary pauses on certain open-air civil works.

The government continues to emphasize that these developments are part of a coordinated effort to improve public service delivery. With the military now on the ground, the focus is on protecting lives while ensuring that the momentum of the national infrastructure agenda is not lost to the seasonal floods.