Same script? Sakaja reacts to Nairobi floods, says emergency teams deployed

In a statement issued by the County Government, Sakaja said the county had mobilised all available resources and personnel to protect residents from the effects of the ongoing rainfall.

"Nairobi City County Disaster Management and Risk Department has fully mobilised all available resources and personnel to manage the situation, urging residents to remain vigilant, prioritise their safety, and utilise the emergency hotlines provided," the statement read in part. 

The governor added that the county had activated its Multi-Sectoral Disaster and Flood Mitigation Committee to ensure 24-hour monitoring and rapid response operations.

As part of the interventions, county teams drawn from the mobility and works sector, including the Green Army, were deployed across all 17 sub-counties to conduct emergency de-silting of drains and clear blocked waterways.

The county government said it was working with the Kenya National Highways Authority and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to keep major roads passable.

"All KURA contractors have been directed to be on the ground immediately to conduct urgent mitigation on their corridors. This includes opening up drainage blockages, removing fallen trees, and clearing debris to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians."

Emergency response teams, including the county’s fire and disaster management units, were also deployed to identify flood hotspots and conduct rescue operations in affected areas.

A multi-agency team comprising the National Police Service and the Kenya Red Cross Society coordinated field operations to enhance response efforts.

The county government also identified several low-lying areas at risk of flooding and established temporary evacuation centres equipped with essential supplies for residents living in high-risk zones.

Residents were urged to report emergencies, including flooding, fallen trees, and blocked drains, through the county’s 24-hour dispatch centre.

The advisory also warned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads or bridges and cautioned them to stay away from downed power lines during storms.

The county’s response comes after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across several neighbourhoods in Nairobi on Friday night.

Areas including Nairobi West, South C and South B were among the hardest hit after the downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, submerging roads and disrupting transport.

Motorists along Uhuru Highway faced major disruptions, with floodwaters engulfing sections of the busy road and leaving several vehicles nearly submerged.

Flooding was also reported in Kilimani and parts of the central business district, where heavy runoff turned streets into streams, slowing traffic and forcing some drivers to abandon flooded routes.

In some areas, commuters were forced to disembark from public service vehicles and wade through flooded streets as traffic ground to a halt.

Residents in South C also reported water entering homes after drainage systems failed to cope with the sudden surge of rainwater.

The flooding sparked frustration among city residents, many of whom took to social media to blame the county government for what they described as persistent drainage failures in the capital.

Critics argued that blocked drains, uncollected garbage and rapid urban development without adequate infrastructure have made the city increasingly vulnerable to flooding whenever heavy rains occur, while accusing Johnson Sakaja’s administration of being tone-deaf in addressing these challenges, saying the county often reacts to incidents instead of taking proactive measures.