Nairobi identifies 227 flood hotspots ahead of El Niño rains

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has launched a proactive flood preparedness plan in response to expected El Niño rains between October and December. Authorities have identified 227 flood hotspots across the city's 17 sub-counties, classifying 16 as very high priority, 189 as high priority, and 22 as medium priority.

To manage the risk, the county has established five multi-agency teams focused on infrastructure, emergency response, relief, security, and communication. These teams will collaborate with organizations including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Authority, and various road authorities.

Governor Sakaja reported that the county has secured Ksh2.4 billion for drainage interventions and clearing major outflows. During recent clearing efforts, officials discovered that residents have been dumping household items, such as mattresses and blankets, into drainage systems. Sakaja emphasized that flood prevention is a “joint responsibility” between the government and citizens to ensure stormwater can flow freely through the city's culverts.