Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has initiated a comprehensive cleanup of drainage systems and waterways in preparation for the anticipated El Niño rains later this year.
Teams from the county's Green Army, an environmental workforce, have been deployed to remove debris, clear blocked alleyways, and unclog sewers and river channels. These efforts target flood-prone areas to ensure stormwater flows freely during periods of heavy rainfall.
Under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, major interventions are underway, including widening sections of the Nairobi River to increase its capacity and improve water flow across the city.
Speaking on Inooro FM, Governor Sakaja emphasized the county’s proactive approach: "We are preparing Nairobi before the rains come. Our teams are on the ground clearing blocked waterways, opening up drainage systems and ensuring that our rivers have the capacity to carry stormwater. The widening of the Nairobi River under the regeneration programme is also part of this long-term preparedness."
The preparations come in response to warnings from the National Disaster Operations Centre and the Interior Ministry about the high risk of urban flooding in Nairobi during the October-November-December El Niño short rains season. Mombasa and Kisumu have also been identified as vulnerable urban centers facing similar drainage challenges.
The Interior Ministry has highlighted that these cities could experience significant strain on infrastructure and services as the rains peak, underscoring the importance of Nairobi’s ongoing interventions.
