Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for political calm even as his administration ramps up aggressive measures to tackle the city’s deepening flood crisis, warning that rogue planning officers will be held accountable.

Speaking at PCEA Evergreen Parish in Westlands on Sunday, Sakaja said the County is intensifying an ongoing crackdown on illegal developments on riparian land, with demolitions and reclamation already underway in multiple areas.

He revealed that several encroached zones have already been reclaimed, with operations now extending to new hotspots such as Kirichwa Kubwa in Kilimani.

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“The work to reclaim riparian land is ongoing at high speed. We are recovering many areas, and as the rains continue, more structures built on riparian land are being identified and removed,” Sakaja said.

“This exercise is ongoing, and no one is being exempted.”

The governor pointed to national-level backing for the exercise, citing the removal of part of the State House perimeter wall to restore natural water flow as a key example.

Sakaja directly linked illegal construction and poor planning to Nairobi’s worsening floods, warning that unchecked encroachment on waterways continues to fuel the crisis.

“We are facing serious flood challenges, not just in Nairobi but across the country, including Tana River. People must take responsibility. You cannot block waterways and then complain about floods,” he said.

At the same time, the governor signalled tough action against planning officials who approved developments on riparian reserves and flood-prone zones.

“Many people are currently losing parts of their property after receiving approvals and building on riparian land and floodplains. Whether this happened years ago or recently, planners and surveyors are expected to adhere to development regulations,” he said.

He urged residents living in high-risk areas to relocate, stressing that reclaiming riparian land is part of a broader push to upgrade drainage systems and sewer infrastructure.

“In places like Grogan, we are losing lives. This should not be happening. People cannot continue living in dangerous zones. This is not about politics—it is about safety and saving lives,” Sakaja added.

The Governor also cautioned against politicising development projects, singling out the ongoing construction of the modern Gikomba Market, which he said is on track for completion within six months.

“Do not listen to politicians who do not care about your dignity. The market is under construction and is aimed at improving working conditions and restoring dignity to traders,” he said.

Amid rising political tensions, Sakaja condemned recent violence at public gatherings and called for restraint among leaders.

“We need peace, stability, and tolerance. Violence is not the answer. As leaders, we must continue lowering political tensions and promoting unity. In a democracy, we may disagree, but we must respect each other’s right to be heard,” he said.

He maintained that the County remains firmly focused on implementing interventions—from riparian land recovery to infrastructure upgrades—as part of efforts to build a safer and more resilient Nairobi.