The Parklands area in Nairobi has become synonymous with flooding in recent years, particularly during the long rains, with the Nairobi County government now explaining why this is the case.
As recently as Sunday, May 11, areas along Brookside and Parklands First Avenue were rendered impassable after a short spell of rain during the day. The dire situation was summed up with several workers getting trapped at a site on Suswa Road after a wall collapsed on them.
According to Nairobi's Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, the persistent flooding in Parklands is mainly because of the improper construction of buildings on top of River Kibagare.
The county officer visited the affected areas following complaints and observed that the issue was rooted in years of poor planning and encroachment on riparian land.
Mosiria was adamant the issue would not be there if buildings were constructed at least 30 metres away on both sides of the river.
"The flooding in these areas is largely due to the construction of houses on top of the River Kibagare. This situation will not end unless these buildings are demolished and relocated at least 30 meters away on both sides of the river to allow its natural flow without obstruction," the Chief Officer for Environment observed.
The flooding phenomenon in Parklands, according to Mosiria, was a historical problem that dates back to the days of the former City Council of Nairobi. At the time, laws governing the establishment of buildings were weak and, at times, non-existent.
Because of weak regulations, River Kibagare's channel was compromised, and the water was forced to seek alternative paths, leading to overwhelmed drainage systems, which get damaged every time it rains.
Mosiria further noted that while building on a river is a key factor leading to flooding, Parklands was an area that had been subjected to extreme urbanisation, which has reduced the land's ability to absorb rainwater.
In 2024, due to the limited green spaces, rainwater rushes over hard surfaces instead of sinking into the ground. This water ends up in the river and the drainage systems.
While the solution to permanently curb the flooding crisis in Parklands is not straightforward, Mosiria revealed efforts by the county government to collaborate with the Water Resources Authority to map out the structures encroaching on the river’s path.
The long-term plan is to restore the river's natural waterway through engagements with the national government and the Nairobi River Regeneration Commission, which was set up in 2023 to manage the Nairobi River Basin.
As far as short-term solutions go, the county government, particularly in the environment docket, is keen on clearing garbage from road reserves and unblocking drainage channels to improve water flow.
