Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Monday, May 1, announced a crackdown within the city and its environments in the wake of flooding on Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Sakaja listed dumping of plastic as one of two leading causes of poor drainage in the county.
He declared a countywide operation in a joint operation with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
"Paper bags and plastic bottles were banned but they have come back. In a week we will launch an operation to make sure that the paper bags that were banned are no longer in our markets or supermarkets," Sakaja declared.
The County Chief intimated that unclogging the drainage systems around the city will be the top priority of the 3,500 youths and women who will be recruited by the county government.
In addition, he attributed the flooding along Uhuru Highway to neglect by the contractors of the Nairobi Expressway, who failed to redo the lower deck.
He disclosed that he had a sit-down with the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to complete the works.
"We have gotten a contractor on Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way to finish the work because when they built the Expressway, it's like they forgot about those on the lower decker," he stated.
Meanwhile, Sakaja called on President William Ruto to address the plight of security guards in the country who earn below the minimum wage.
"They are paid between Ksh5,000 and 6,000 yet you pronounced the minimum wage as Ksh13,000. Please look into that," he pleaded.
The Governor further demanded that the digital taxi-hailing industry be regulated to allow drivers to earn without having to work long hours.
He noted that a majority of the road accidents within the city were caused by cab drivers who were overwhelmed by fatigue.
