Stakeholders participate in cleaning of the environment in Mlolongo, Machakos county on October 8, 2026.A multi-agency team has been formed to plan and respond to the anticipated El Nino rains in Machakos County, Mlolongo Senior Assistant County Commissioner Joshua Okello has said.
Okello said the government was well prepared for El Nino and had already mapped out high-risk areas not only in Athi River Sub-county but across the county.
He said Syokimau was among the mapped-out areas, alongside Katani and parts of Athi River, especially along River Athi.
"You are all aware of the projected dangers of El Nino. This office, among other multi-agency teams, is ready to tackle that menace in case it comes with flooding so that it doesn't affect our people," Okello said.
Okello addressed reporters during a clean-up exercise in Mlolongo town on Thursday.
He said the exercise was a culmination of the Mazingira Day celebrations scheduled for October 10.
"We are happy to participate in the cleaning exercise. All government agencies, both national and county, have joined in the exercise whose goal is to ensure that our environment is clean. We have teamed up with a multi-agency including NEMA, KeNHA, Kenya Red Cross, and the office of area MP Patrick Makau," Okello said.
"This is an indication that we are ready to work hand in hand to ensure that our environment is well guarded. We are working closely and believe that our mandate is to serve the public better. Today's exercise will have a culmination of the Mazingira Day celebrations that will happen at Kanaani Comprehensive School in Athi River where we will plant over 10,000 trees," he said.
Mavoko Municipality Manager Joslyn Nzeki said they had for the last one month been sensitising the public on the importance of keeping the environment clean as well as unclogging drainages ahead of the El Nino rains, adding that the sensitisation exercise is ongoing.
"We urge the residents to turn up in large numbers so that we continue with the cleaning exercise. Let's be wary that each individual has a responsibility to keep the environment clean," Nzeki said.
Nzeki urged Mavoko residents to handle their garbage responsibly and place it in areas designated by the County Government of Machakos for collection by trucks for safe disposal in dumpsites.
She said as a municipality, they would take stern action not only against Mlolongo residents but all those from Machakos County who irresponsibly dump garbage, thereby littering the environment.
"We won't tire on enforcing laws related to garbage disposal and environmental conservation. As a manager in charge, with Governor Wavinya Ndeti's support, we will ensure all is well," Nzeki said.
Nzeki said they had in the last one month arrested 180 people found irresponsibly dumping garbage and discharging raw effluent into the open and rivers. All were arraigned and charged, with the majority released on cash bail by respective courts.
"The war on waste disposal isn't a joke. We are going to enforce the law fully," she said.
She lauded Okello's sentiments on El Nino preparedness, stating they were ready to handle incidents as they would arise as a county.
Mlolongo-Syokimau Bodaboda Association Chairman Alex Mutuku said they would support the cleaning, environmental conservation and El Nino mitigation initiatives.
"I urge our members to join in cleaning the environment. Let's help unclog the drainages to avoid flooding of roads during El Nino," Mutuku said.
Mutuku told bodaboda riders to avoid flooded roads and rivers during El Nino so as not to expose themselves and pillion passengers to the danger of being swept away by floods.
