Nairobi County has intensified preparations for the expected El Niño rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja directing different government agencies to coordinate their efforts and address areas that could be affected by flooding.

Sakaja chaired a special Implementation Cooperation Committee meeting at Kenya Railways Headquarters on Monday, bringing together agencies involved in flood control, emergency response and road infrastructure in the capital.

The meeting included officials from the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), national disaster management teams and other partners.

The agencies reviewed ongoing flood mitigation work and discussed measures that should be in place before the rains intensify.

The county has identified drainage and flooding as some of the key areas requiring early intervention, particularly in locations that have previously experienced waterlogging and disruption during heavy rains.

Sakaja said drainage improvement works were underway along Mombasa Road and other flood-prone areas. The different agencies have been assigned interventions according to their responsibilities, with the county seeking to ensure that road, drainage and emergency response teams work together.

The governor said the county had also established an emergency response centre and dedicated communication channels through which residents can report incidents during the rainy season.

Rescue centres have been identified in preparation for possible evacuations, particularly in areas where flooding could put residents at risk.

Sakaja said some residents living in riparian areas had already moved to safer locations. He urged those who remain in high-risk areas to take evacuation warnings seriously and relocate before heavy rains arrive.

“We don’t want to lose lives. The lives we have so far lost should not recur,” Sakaja said, urging residents to follow government advisories during the rainy season.

Green Army teams

The county is also relying on its Green Army teams to continue clearing drainage systems across Nairobi. The work includes removing accumulated waste and other material that could block the movement of rainwater.

The preparations come after previous heavy rains caused flooding in several parts of Nairobi, affecting homes, businesses, roads and transport networks. Flooding has also posed risks to people living close to rivers and other waterways.

Sakaja said the county was choosing to prepare early instead of waiting for flooding to occur before responding.

“We have brought together all the agencies that have a role to play so that when the rains come, we are not responding in isolation but as one coordinated team,” he said.

The governor also called on residents to play their part by keeping drainage channels clear, following evacuation instructions and reporting emergencies through the established county channels.

He said early intervention would be important in protecting lives and property, especially in flood-prone and riparian areas.

With the rainy season approaching, the county is now expected to continue monitoring vulnerable areas while working with national agencies to improve drainage, prepare rescue teams and respond to emergencies that may arise during periods of heavy rainfall.