The leadership of Nairobi County has deployed officers to designated areas across the city to unblock the drainage system as the short rainy season officially begins.
Speaking on Friday, Nairobi County Chief Officer of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria revealed that the county is working to find a permanent solution to the city's flooding challenge every time it rains.
While the county is working on the solution, Mosiria has advised motorists in flood-prone areas of the city, including Westlands, Kilimani, and Parklands, to exercise extra caution while driving during this rainy season.
“The rains have begun, and we urge all motorists within Nairobi County to exercise extra caution. According to our environmental experts, we expect heavy rainfall over the next three days,” Mosiria advised.
Mosiria blamed the flooding challenge on Kenyans and hawkers who do not practise proper waste management, littering the city indiscriminately and leading to blocked drainage systems.
“We are on the ground, and our teams have been activated to address the mess created over many years. We have deployed our officers to unblock the drainage systems,” the officer continued.
The environment officer challenged city dwellers and hawkers to adopt proper waste management practices to help combat future flooding in the city.
“I wish that, as a patriotic Kenyan, you would use this media platform to educate the people of Nairobi on the importance of keeping the environment clean and practising proper solid waste management at the source,” Mosiria continued.
The county has also issued a stern warning to city developers encroaching on drainage channels and constructing on riparian zones, warning that such actions will not be tolerated.
The county reiterated its original plan to uproot all illegal structures along rivers in a move to permanently solve flooding in the city.
“These areas are vital for water flow and environmental balance; they are not meant for settlement or development,” Mosiria continued.
The advisory by the county leadership follows a detailed report by the Kenya Meteorological Department, which listed Nairobi as one of the regions expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next five days.
