NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi County is seeking Sh5.17 billion to fund urgent flood prevention and emergency response measures ahead of forecast El Niño rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja warning that up to 100,000 people could be affected in a worst-case scenario.
Speaking on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the Second National Development Implementation Committee meeting in Nairobi, Sakaja said the county had identified 227 flood hotspots across 17 sub-counties and was racing to complete critical drainage works before rainfall intensifies.
He said the worst-case scenario could affect 20,000 households, particularly those living in informal settlements along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers.
The county has cleared 80 per cent of riparian areas along the three rivers and completed work at 26 of 61 drainage sites requiring clearing and repairs. However, Sakaja warned that delays in national government projects, limited equipment and funding constraints could slow preparations.
Nairobi Identifies 227 Flood Hotspots
Sakaja said areas such as Mathare, Kibera and Mukuru faced heightened flood risks because of their proximity to rivers and existing drainage challenges.
He said the county was prioritising the removal of structures obstructing waterways, clearing drainage channels and reopening sections of rivers blocked by development.
“We are not doing demolitions. We are evacuating people from harm’s way,” Sakaja said, adding that residents had begun cooperating with efforts to move people and property away from dangerous areas.
The governor cited the Kibagare River in Westlands, where sections had been blocked by development. He said the county had reopened parts of the waterway and removed structures obstructing its flow.
“The last few days, we’ve had serious demolitions along First Parklands Avenue, houses, walls that are blocking the river. We have said we must do whatever it takes to save lives, and whatever litigation happens, we shall deal with it after we’ve saved lives,” he said.
County Raises Alarm Over Equipment And Funding Shortages
The governor said infrastructure works by the county were between 70 and 80 per cent complete, while projects undertaken by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) stood at 55 per cent.
He added that fewer than 25 per cent of contractors involved in some projects awarded two weeks earlier had reported to their sites despite the approaching rains.
Sakaja also revealed that only 20 per cent of the critical equipment required for flood prevention works was available, forcing the county to hire machinery from private providers.
“We are hiring equipment from private vendors. We have not received any support to be able to do that,” he said, citing excavators, backhoes, graders and drainage flushing units among the equipment needed.
He said some urgent works undertaken over the previous three weeks had not received dedicated funding, while delays in approving emergency spending had forced the county to seek alternative ways to keep operations running.
The Sh5.17 billion request is intended to support interventions by national government agencies, including the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and KURA, alongside county operations and the Kenya Red Cross.
Nairobi Prepares Shelters And Emergency Rescue Teams
Sakaja said the county had held six multi-agency meetings involving national government departments, security agencies, road authorities and the Kenya Red Cross to coordinate preparations, assign responsibilities and identify resource requirements.
Teams have also conducted disaster simulations to test emergency responses in case major roads become impassable.
During one exercise at Central Park, officials tested plans to divert traffic from Mombasa Road onto the expressway and allow vehicles to use it free of charge.
The county is also considering deploying boats to rescue residents in low-lying areas such as Ruai, Kamulu and Mathare if floodwaters cut off access.
Schools, hospitals and social halls have been identified as potential temporary shelters for displaced households.
“We do not want to create IDP camps,” Sakaja said, explaining that affected households would be registered and provided with short-term support before returning to their normal lives.
15,000 People Targeted For Emergency Training
The county is training community health promoters and first responders, with about 15,000 people requiring training. It is also preparing supplies to address possible public health and sanitation challenges during and after flooding.
Sakaja said a 24-hour joint command centre had been established at Charter Hall to coordinate emergency operations.
Residents can report emergencies through Nairobi County’s emergency line, 1508, or the Kenya Red Cross hotline, 1199.
The response plan covers preparations before the rains, rescue and relief operations during flooding, and recovery efforts from January. Recovery measures are expected to include infrastructure repairs, disease monitoring and support for affected households.
Sakaja urged the national government to accelerate outstanding projects and provide the resources required to protect residents before heavy rainfall begins.
