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Nairobi residents living along riverbeds ordered to immediately relocate amid heavy rains

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during an inspection tour Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums which is among the areas affected by floods on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Nairobi City County Government)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 23 Apr 2024

The Nairobi County Government also ordered that all excavations along riparian land be suspended immediately.

Nairobi residents living along riverbeds and high areas have been ordered to relocate with immediate effect following various flooding cases in the city.

In a statement on Monday, the Nairobi County Government also ordered that all excavations along riparian land be suspended immediately.

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These directives came after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja led a meeting with various agencies in response to the heavy rains that caused flooding and property damage over the weekend.

"It was resolved that all excavations along riparian have been suspended with immediate effect. All inhabitants along riverbeds and high areas must re-locate with immediate effect," Sakaja said.

The meeting was attended by agencies from national and county governments including County Executive Committee Members (CECs), County Chief Officials (CCO), Regional County Commander (RCC), the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), District County Commission (DCC), Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company (NCWSC) and Kenya Red Cross among other agencies.

After the meeting, Sakaja in the company of some members of the multi-agency team visited some of the hard-hit areas by floods in Nairobi.

Some of the areas they toured where residents were greatly affected by the floods include Isaac Gathanju Road, Elite Estate on Ole Dume Road, Mukuru kwa Reuben and its surrounding areas, as well as Gatina Ward (Facebook grounds).

Aftermath

During the tour, it was established that the bursting of the Ngong River banks had affected many areas across the city especially downstream including the flooding of Mbagathi Roundabout, Ectoville Industrial Estate in Mukuru kwa Rueben Ward and Mwiki Ward along the Eastern bypass.

In Kiambiu informal settlement in Kamukunji Sub-County, at least 10 households have been affected by the floods.

An excavator clears a blocked drainage at the Mukuru kwa Njenga slums on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Nairobi City County Government)

In Loyangalani, Isaac Gathanju and Convent Road, flooding was caused by encroachment on water wayleaves.

The bursting of the Mau Mau riverbanks has seen churches and residential houses flooded in Westlands Sub-County.

"We already have an excavator clearing garbage that is interfering with the flow of storm waters," the statement read.

A bridge in Nairobi's Mukuru-Kayaba Slum in South B was also swept away.

City Hall has now urged all city residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their property, especially those living near riverbanks.

"Please heed all warnings and advisories issued by the relevant authorities and avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas," read the statement further.

In case of an emergency, city residents have been advised to reach the county through the hotline number 1508.

As of April 18, 2024, the Red Cross had reported that in Nairobi County, 31,015 people (6,203 households) in the informal settlements of Kware, Kibra, Viwandani, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kayole, and Mukuru Kwa Reuben have so far been affected by flooding due to poor and blocked drainage systems.

At the same time, the county government also ordered private service providers (PSPs) to stop illegal garbage dumping in undesignated areas.

Instead, they have been ordered to transport all the waste collected to the Dandora dumpsite.

Any PSP found not adhering to this their vehicles will be impounded, and PSP licences withdrawn, as announced by the Governor.