Sakaja Issues 14-Day Flood Deadline as Nairobi Braces for El Niño Rains

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a 14-day ultimatum to county and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) engineers and contractors to complete critical drainage and road infrastructure projects as the city accelerates preparations for expected El Niño rainfall.

The directive aims to fast-track interventions in documented flood hotspots and strengthen overall urban readiness before the downpours intensify.

“We have directed our teams to accelerate the ongoing works, particularly in known flood hotspots, to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding ahead of the expected rains,” Sakaja said.

Authorities have mapped 227 flood hotspots across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties, prioritizing the most vulnerable zones to guide emergency response planning and heavy machinery deployment. To fund these operations, the county is executing a Ksh2.4 billion multi-agency flood mitigation framework, allocating Ksh2 billion specifically toward drainage systems and flood-control infrastructure spanning 19 flood-prone thoroughfares.

Crews on the ground continue to clear, desilt, widen, and deepen stormwater drains while deploying additional heavy earth-moving equipment to high-risk zones.

These targeted measures aim to enhance surface runoff management, prevent road impasses, and safeguard residential and commercial properties. County officials have simultaneously urged communities along riparian reserves and low-lying zones to strictly adhere to upcoming safety bulletins.

Multi-agency coordination brings together the Nairobi County Government, KURA, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and the Nairobi Rivers Commission. Five specialized committees now oversee infrastructure maintenance, emergency evacuations, temporary shelter provision, traffic management, and public communication.

The county has activated a central Emergency Operations Centre alongside a dedicated helpline (1508) for rapid reporting. City hall has designated 27 temporary drop-off sites and emergency shelters to accommodate potentially displaced households.

Speaking during a joint stakeholder strategy session in Karen on Thursday, September 24, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed the national government’s coordination with county leadership, identifying temporary holding areas for residents who may require evacuation. Kindiki noted that heavy rainfall patterns are projected to start between the second and third weeks of October.

National agencies covering energy, public works, and urban planning are working in tandem with local authorities to mitigate infrastructure degradation, transport paralysis, and electrical grid failures.

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