Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has temporarily waived approval requirements for minor building repairs across the city as the county steps up preparations for anticipated El Niño rains.
The waiver, which will remain in place until the onset of the rains, allows residents to install gutters and carry out minor repairs to their homes and compounds without going through the usual county approval process.
“I have waived the application and approval processes for minor building repairs in Nairobi from now until the onset of the El Niño rains,” Sakaja said.
The governor announced the measure while inspecting flood mitigation works across Nairobi, where county teams have deployed additional machinery to flood-prone areas.
The ongoing works include clearing blocked drainage systems, removing waste and vegetation, and widening, deepening and desilting waterways in identified hotspots.
Sakaja also warned residents and private waste collectors against illegal dumping, saying waste thrown into waterways was undermining efforts to reduce flooding.
He said enforcement officers had been put on alert and warned that private garbage collectors found dumping waste in open spaces risked having their licences permanently withdrawn.
Nairobi’s flood preparedness is being coordinated through a multi-agency framework bringing together the county government, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Sakaja said the agencies would operate under a “One County, One Plan, One Command” model aimed at coordinating resources and emergency response efforts.
The county has also activated an Emergency Operations Centre and emergency hotline 1508, where residents can report flooding and other emergencies.
Authorities have identified 27 evacuation points and shelters for residents who may need to be moved from high-risk areas.
A four-day multi-agency simulation exercise is also planned to test Nairobi’s emergency response systems and coordination ahead of the anticipated rains.
City Hall has urged residents to clear drainage around their homes and take early measures to reduce the risk of flooding.
Follow our social media pages for breaking news updates, in-depth stories and videos.
news@nairobilens.ke
