Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja says 80 per cent of clearance and rehabilitation works along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers are complete.
The county is continuing the works as it prepares for the expected El Niño rains. Sakaja said the remaining work would help improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding.
He made the remarks while presenting Nairobi’s preparedness report at a National Development Implementation Committee meeting. The meeting took place at the Kenya School of Government.
The governor also announced that road and drainage projects worth KSh5 billion were underway across the capital.
Nairobi Roads Undergo KSh5 Billion Upgrade
Sakaja said the projects involve the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
The works include road construction, rehabilitation and tarmacking. They also cover drainage systems and pedestrian walkways.
“Infrastructure works worth KSh5 billion are underway in Nairobi, involving KeNHA and KURA. They include tarmacking, construction of drainage systems and walkways, among other interventions,” Sakaja said.
He expressed optimism that the projects would continue before, during and after the El Niño rains. According to the governor, the improvements will help prepare the city for heavy rainfall.
Sakaja identified Mombasa Road, Thika Road, Lang’ata Road, Ngong Road and Kangundo Road among the major roads requiring attention.
He noted that national government road agencies oversee the works on these roads.
The governor also called for closer cooperation between national and county government agencies. He said better coordination would help complete projects on time and prepare Nairobi for the rains.
Nairobi River Clearance Reaches 80 Per Cent
Sakaja said county teams had made significant progress in clearing and rehabilitating the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers.
The work includes removing silt and deepening river channels. Teams are also removing obstructions that could prevent water from flowing freely.
In addition, the county is restoring riparian corridors along the rivers. These efforts aim to improve water movement and reduce flooding risks.
However, Sakaja said 20 per cent of the clearance work remained incomplete. He called for continued deployment of workers and cooperation among the agencies involved.
The remaining work will be important as Nairobi prepares for the expected heavy rains.
Sakaja Urges NEMA to Crack Down on Plastic Waste
The governor also urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to strengthen enforcement against plastic pollution.
He said county teams had found large amounts of plastic waste while clearing rivers and drainage channels.
“In our efforts to clean and unclog the waterways and rivers, we have found a lot of plastic waste. We call upon NEMA to address this. Plastics were banned, but their use and disposal remain a challenge. This needs to be addressed,” he said.
Plastic waste can block rivers and drainage systems. As a result, water may overflow during heavy rainfall and cause flooding in nearby areas.
Sakaja called for stronger action against improper waste disposal. He also urged residents and businesses to dispose of their waste responsibly.
Nairobi Steps Up Preparations for El Niño Rains
The county continues to clear rivers and improve drainage systems as part of its rainy-season preparations.
The remaining river rehabilitation work and ongoing road projects are expected to help reduce flood risks across Nairobi.
However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on timely completion. Close coordination between national and county government agencies will also be important as the rains approach.
