Sakaja Orders Evacuation Along Nairobi Rivers Ahead of El Niño
Some residents have already moved voluntarily following earlier warnings, while authorities said those who remain in areas considered dangerous will be required to relocate.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered residents living in high-risk riparian areas along the Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi rivers to relocate as the city steps up preparations for the expected El Niño rains. Photo: The Kenya Times.
By Robert Mutasi
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered residents living in high-risk riparian areas along the Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi rivers to relocate as the city steps up preparations for the expected El Niño rains.
Sakaja issued the directive on Monday, September 28, during a multi-agency meeting convened to assess Nairobi’s readiness for the anticipated heavy rainfall and possible flooding.
The governor directed county and national agencies involved in disaster management to accelerate flood mitigation measures and ensure residents in vulnerable areas are moved to safer locations.
He said protecting lives should remain the priority as authorities prepare for increased rainfall in the coming weeks.
Some residents have already moved voluntarily following earlier warnings, while authorities said those who remain in areas considered dangerous will be required to relocate.
The county has identified 27 drop-off points and shelters that can be used during evacuations. An Emergency Operations Centre has also been established, alongside a dedicated 1508 hotline for residents to report flooding and other emergencies.
Sakaja brought together representatives from the National Government Administration Officers, National Police Service, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Red Cross, Green Nairobi, county disaster management teams and Nairobi’s borough administrations.
He directed the agencies to operate under a unified command structure to improve coordination during the preparedness and response operations.
The governor called for what he described as “one team, one command, one control and one direction”, with agencies expected to share information and coordinate their activities.
Sakaja also directed engineers and contractors to speed up drainage clearance, desilting, waterway widening and other flood-control works in identified hotspots across the city.
The county has been carrying out interventions in several areas, including the rehabilitation of drainage corridors and waterways that have previously contributed to flooding.
The authorities are also intensifying efforts to prevent illegal dumping into drainage systems and waterways, which officials say reduces the capacity of the city’s drainage network during heavy rainfall.
The evacuation directive comes as residents in flood-prone parts of Nairobi remain concerned about where they will go if forced to leave their homes.
Recent reporting has highlighted concerns among some residents who say they have received warnings about the approaching rains but have not always been given clear information about relocation arrangements.
The county government has said its emergency preparations will include coordination with national agencies and humanitarian organisations to support residents affected by flooding.
The government is also preparing emergency response measures, including temporary relocation of people from vulnerable areas and provision of essential assistance where necessary.
Sakaja urged all agencies involved in the preparedness programme to remain focused on protecting residents and infrastructure as Nairobi braces for the rainy season.
The county has advised residents in flood-prone areas to take early precautions and cooperate with authorities during evacuation and emergency response operations.
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