Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja inspects ongoing flood mitigation works along city key corridors. /HANDOUT
Nairobi has stepped up preparations for the anticipated heavy rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja deploying more earth-moving machines to flood-prone areas across the city.
Sakaja on Tuesday inspected ongoing mitigation works along a key drainage corridor running from the KIRDI/Bellevue axis to the main outfall along Mombasa Road.
Teams are carrying out desilting, widening and deepening of drainage channels as the county moves to improve stormwater flow and reduce the risk of flooding.
“We have deployed more machines to various hotspots identified by the multi-agency team as part of our El Niño preparedness measures. The teams are widening and deepening drainage channels and creating clear pathways for water to flow,” Sakaja said.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja inspects ongoing flood mitigation works along city key corridors. /HANDOUT
The works are part of a multi-agency operation targeting flood hotspots across Nairobi.
Sakaja is chairing the preparedness efforts, which bring together the Nairobi County Government and national and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja inspects ongoing flood mitigation works along city key corridors. /HANDOUT
The governor said the county was taking preventive measures instead of waiting for flooding to occur before responding.
“We cannot wait for the rains to come before we act. We must be proactive and address the challenges we know lie ahead. Our focus is on preparing now, strengthening our response systems and protecting Nairobians and their property,” he said.
“Many Nairobians have heeded our advice and moved away from riparian areas. For those who have not yet done so, I urge you to take this advice seriously and relocate to safer areas to avoid loss of life and property during flooding,” he said.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja inspects ongoing flood mitigation works along city key corridors. /HANDOUT
The county's preparedness strategy will operate under a “One County, One Plan, One Command” approach, bringing different agencies together under a coordinated response structure.
Sakaja said the approach would help the county make better use of available resources and protect residents and their property.
The county has identified 27 drop-off points and shelters where residents can be evacuated if relocation becomes necessary.
A four-day multi-agency simulation exercise is also planned later this month to test the city's emergency response systems.
The exercise will bring together the county and national governments alongside other agencies involved in disaster preparedness and response.
Sakaja said teams would remain deployed and works would be completed in time to minimise the impact of the anticipated rains.
