"We urge our people not to panic": Sakaja gears up for El Niño flood response

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- Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson toured flood-prone areas including the Mombasa Road-Bunyala Junction corridor and Globe roundabout as El Niño warnings intensified

- A KSh 2.4 billion multi-agency programme targeting 19 flood-prone roads has been established, with KSh 2 billion ring-fenced for drainage and flood-mitigation works

- The county set up five specialised sub-committees covering infrastructure, emergency response, shelter, security, and communication to coordinate flood preparedness

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has called on city residents to stay alert and co-operate with authorities as the county accelerates flood-mitigation works ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains, with a KSh 2.4 billion multi-agency programme already under way.

Speaking on August 21, 2026, during a visit to several flood-prone zones, including the Mombasa Road-Bunyala Junction corridor and the Globe roundabout, Sakaja confirmed that drainage works were actively progressing at identified hotspots across the city.

"We are working proactively to address the challenges of flooding before El Niño hits the ground. We urge our people not to panic but be alert and get information from our multi-agency team," Sakaja said.

KSh 2 Billion Drainage Overhaul

Of the total KSh 2.4 billion programme, KSh 2 billion has been allocated specifically to drainage and flood-mitigation infrastructure targeting 19 roads in vulnerable areas. Tenders have already been awarded, and contractors are expected to begin work once the requisite processes are finalised.

The governor described the investment as part of a long-term effort to fix structural weaknesses that have historically left Nairobi exposed to flooding, rather than simply responding to emergencies after they arise.

"The Sh2 billion will support a comprehensive drainage overhaul that complements the ongoing Nairobi Regeneration Programme. Our goal is to permanently address the flooding challenges that have affected the city for many years," Sakaja said.

The programme brings together the county's disaster management units alongside Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) under a single co-ordinated framework.

Five Sub-Committees to Manage Response

To sharpen the county's readiness, five specialised sub-committees have been constituted under the multi-agency structure. These cover Infrastructure and Drainage; Emergency Response and Evacuation; Shelter and Relief; Security and Traffic; and Communication.

Each committee carries a distinct mandate: the Infrastructure and Drainage team will oversee clearing and deepening of drainage channels and rivers, while the Emergency Response and Evacuation unit will manage rescue operations when crises occur.

The Shelter and Relief committee will prepare safe sites and co-ordinate food, water, and medical assistance, and the Communication committee will handle early-warning alerts and public information dissemination.

Sakaja urged residents, businesses, and community associations to keep drainage areas clear and respond promptly to official advisories from the county.

"We don't want people to panic. We want people to be proactive, to listen to information and to work with us. The multi-agency team is in place, and we are preparing before the rains intensify," Sakaja said.

The multi-agency team is scheduled to convene again next week to review the progress of ongoing works and advance the city's broader El Niño preparedness agenda.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.