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Flood alert: County team clears blocked drainage along General Waruinge street

Green Army team clearing the drainage along General Waruinge Street. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

By Charity Kilei | 18 Apr 2024

This flooding not only disrupts the daily operations of businesses but also hampers movement of people in the bustling commercial hub.

The county government has been actively clearing blocked drains in Eastleigh to address the ongoing flooding menace affecting the area.

On Thursday, a team from the environmental unit, known as the 'Green Army,' was seen clearing the drainage along General Waruinge Street, a day after the Meteorological Department issued an alert on heavy rains.

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Eastleigh faces significant challenges during rainy seasons, with streets like Second Avenue and Yusuf Haji Avenue experiencing frequent flooding.

This flooding not only disrupts the daily operations of businesses but also hampers movement of people in the bustling commercial hub.

The persistent flooding issue is largely attributed to the lack of a functional sewage system capable of effectively draining rainwater.

Green Army team clearing the drainage along General Waruinge Street. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Flooding alert

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, advising residents in low-lying areas or near rivers and lakes to remain on alert, as the government may issue evacuation orders due to potential floods or mudslides.

The Meteorological Department's weather forecasts indicate that the current rains will intensify and persist in the coming days.

Kindiki stated that urban areas with blocked or inadequate drainage systems, as well as public or private water storage facilities across the country, could also face flooding if the rainfall continues without interruption.

He also urged the public to exercise caution, plan their movements carefully, and avoid dangerous activities near water bodies.

Kindiki revealed that the ministry has reactivated the disaster response team that managed the impacts of last year's El Niño rains.

"The National Disaster Operations Centre at the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has reconvened the Multi-Agency Disaster Management Team, initially established during the 2023 El Niño rains, to ensure a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to monitoring the current situation and coordinating government response efforts," he explained.

The Kenya Red Cross Society and other relevant national and international humanitarian organizations have been enlisted to support this team.

Green Army team clearing the drainage along General Waruinge Street. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Heavy rains in Nairobi

This year, Kamukunji's Kitui Village bore the brunt of the flooding, which left devastating effects. Over 3,000 people were displaced and property of unknown value was damaged last month after heavy rains pounded Nairobi.

Sadly, the flooding also resulted in several fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for effective flood management and infrastructure improvements. Despite evacuation advisories, many residents chose to remain in their homes, exacerbating the flooding's impact.

The United Nations reports that heavy rains across various parts of Kenya have claimed the lives of at least 13 people and displaced approximately 15,000 individuals this year.

Citing the Kenya Red Cross Society, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that nearly 20,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and flash floods since the start of the wet season in mid-March.