The Nairobi County administration says it has removed more than 100,000 tonnes of garbage over the past month, stepping up proactive measures to curb severe flooding ahead of predicted El Niño rainfall.
Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that multi-agency teams are clearing drainage channels, removing waste from critical waterways, and restoring river ecosystems to protect high-risk hotspots across the capital.
The county reportedly collects about 3,200 tonnes of solid waste daily. The city’s dedicated environmental cleanup crew, known as the Green Army, leads the charge on the ground to prevent garbage from choking crucial drainage networks.
“Through the coordinated efforts of our teams, particularly the Green Army, which has been cleaning the city, unclogging drainage systems and collecting and disposing of waste, we have collected more than 100,000 tonnes of garbage in just one month, averaging approximately 3,200 tonnes daily,” Sakaja said.
Governor Sakaja highlighted joint operations between county departments and national government agencies, pointing out that coordinated action has significantly bolstered Nairobi’s flood readiness.
“These efforts have helped reduce the risk of flooding in several El Niño hotspots. In areas where illegal dumping had obstructed river channels, our teams have undertaken desilting and dredging to improve water flow and minimise the risk of rivers bursting their banks,” he said.
A Six-Point Strategy for Urban Flood Preparedness
Nairobi County grounds its disaster preparedness plan on six key strategic pillars:
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Restoring Major Waterways: Desilting, dredging, deepening, and reclaiming riparian corridors to expand water flow capacity.
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Protecting High-Risk Communities: Engaging residents in flood-prone areas and along riparian reserves, urging voluntary relocation where necessary to ensure public safety.
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Continuous Sanitation & Unclogging: Maintaining regular daily garbage collection and keeping drainage arteries open using Green Army personnel deployed across all sub-counties.
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Community Awareness Campaigns: Utilizing Nairobi’s six-borough administrative system to educate citizens on emergency safety measures and potential hazards.
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Inter-Agency Emergency Coordination: Streamlining joint efforts among key disaster response agencies to handle evacuations, rescue operations, and rapid drainage repairs.
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Emergency Response Training: Conducting real-time simulation exercises to sharpen rescue capabilities and refine agency coordination on the ground.
High Alert Following Weather Warnings
Despite the substantial progress in clearing debris and opening water channels, county authorities remain on high alert following official updates from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
“Our efforts are ongoing, and we continue to strengthen our preparedness. The Kenya Meteorological Department has advised that the rains could begin at any time, and we have made significant progress in getting the city ready. However, there is still more work to be done, and our teams remain on the ground to ensure that we respond effectively,” he said.
To safeguard these environmental gains, Governor Sakaja urged residents to refrain from illegal dumping in open drains and to follow safety directions from disaster teams if evacuations become necessary.
He extended the call to commercial entities and private waste management firms, warning that reckless waste disposal undermines critical infrastructure and puts entire neighborhoods at risk. Nairobi County plans to sustain these intensive drainage clearance and river restoration operations throughout the upcoming rainy season.
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