NAIROBI, Kenya — Johnson Sakaja has urged leaders to unite in responding to the devastating floods affecting parts of the country, warning against attempts to politicise the unfolding tragedy.
The Nairobi County governor described the flooding as a national disaster, noting that many of the deaths have occurred outside the capital as heavy rains continue to batter several regions.
“This is a national disaster. Nearly half of the deaths have occurred in other parts of the country as well, and those lives matter too,” Sakaja said.
Call to avoid political blame games
Speaking amid growing concern over the rising death toll and destruction caused by the floods, Sakaja criticised leaders he accused of exploiting the crisis for political advantage.
“It is a shame that some leaders in this city are finger-pointing and leveraging this tragedy for political gain,” he said.
“We should stop politicising natural calamities and instead focus on a collective response to support those affected in Nairobi and across the country.”
Kenya has experienced heavy rains and flash floods in recent days, leaving several communities displaced and infrastructure damaged in different counties.
Defence of the river relocation plan
Sakaja also defended the county government’s earlier decision to relocate residents living along the Nairobi River corridor, arguing that the move helped prevent greater loss of life during the flooding.
“Leadership is about providing solutions, not playing politics. Sometimes those solutions require painful decisions to save lives,” he said.
“If we had not relocated people from the Nairobi River, the number of lives lost during the floods would have been much higher.”
The relocation exercise had sparked debate among political leaders and residents, with critics accusing the county government of acting harshly toward informal settlement communities.
Sh25 billion drainage overhaul plan
The governor said the long-term solution to Nairobi’s recurring floods lies in major infrastructure upgrades, revealing that a full overhaul of the city’s drainage system could cost about Sh25 billion.
He said the county government is working with the Government of Kenya to mobilise the resources needed to implement the project.
“Overhauling the city’s drainage system will cost about Sh25 billion, which is why cooperation with the national government is necessary,” Sakaja said.
“Correcting decades of planning mistakes will require tough decisions.”
Need for coordinated response
Sakaja urged leaders and residents to prioritise saving lives and supporting flood victims, rather than engaging in political disputes during the crisis.
He stressed that coordinated action between national and county governments, alongside improved urban planning and infrastructure investment, will be essential to addressing Nairobi’s persistent flooding problem.
The governor said unity among leaders and communities will be critical as the country works to respond to the current disaster and build long-term resilience against extreme weather events.
