Nairobi’s national and county governments have launched an immediate, coordinated response to severe flooding in the capital, directing key agencies to implement a 48-hour action plan focused on critical infrastructure and drainage.
The Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and Nairobi City County convened on Monday, ordering a joint assessment of flood damage and a costed recovery plan within two days. The plan prioritises heavily affected road corridors and blocked drainage systems across the city’s 17 sub-counties.
“Under the immediate response plan, infrastructure agencies have been tasked with conducting a joint assessment of flood damage and submitting a costed recovery plan within 48 hours,” said Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. He emphasised that a single-window implementation approach between the two levels of government would accelerate recovery and streamline resource mobilisation.
The committee, which included Principal Secretaries and senior officials from agencies such as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Water Resources Authority, and the National Treasury, also instructed technical teams to map flood-prone areas. Teams must identify and prioritise de-silting of blocked drainage systems and urgent road repairs to mitigate further flooding during the ongoing rainy season.
Additionally, a multi-agency taskforce has been ordered to intensify enforcement and recovery of riparian and floodplain areas. This measure aims to restore the natural flow of rivers and reduce recurrent flooding in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
In operational updates, authorities confirmed that a major damaged water transmission pipeline along Outer Ring Road has been repaired, restoring supply to Buruburu, Kariobangi, Dandora, and parts of Mathare. Repairs on distribution lines serving Kiambiu and Korogocho are ongoing.
Public health interventions are underway to prevent disease outbreaks. County teams have disinfected over 300 households and sanitation facilities, distributed more than 4,000 household water treatment supplies, and sanitised 30 schools in flood-affected areas, protecting approximately 3,800 students.
The Implementation Committee is scheduled to reconvene on March 19 to review progress on the 48-hour implementation report, with a focus on ensuring resolutions translate into tangible action on the ground. The coordinated effort underscores the urgent need to address Nairobi’s drainage infrastructure and flood vulnerability amid persistent heavy rains.
