Nairobi steps up El Niño preparedness as Green Army clears waterways, River Regeneration expasion

Nairobi City County is intensifying its preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja unveiling strategies to enhance drainage, reinforce waterways, and mitigate the potential flooding across the city. During an interview on Inooro FM, Sakaja disclosed that the county is leveraging local environmental teams, such as the Green Army, to clear obstructed alleyways, unclog sewers and drainage systems, and eliminate silt and debris from river channels.

This proactive approach aims to ensure unimpeded water flow during heavy rainfall, especially in areas susceptible to flooding. Concurrently, the County is rolling out substantial initiatives under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, which includes widening specific stretches of the Nairobi River to boost its water-carrying capacity and enhance the overall flow of the river system.

As Sakaja emphasized, "We are preparing Nairobi before the rains come. Our teams are on the ground clearing blocked waterways, opening up drainage systems and ensuring that our rivers have the capacity to carry storm water." Additionally, the widening of the Nairobi River as part of the regeneration programme forms a crucial component of this long-term preparedness strategy.

These measures amalgamate immediate preventive actions with enduring infrastructure improvements, enabling the County to tackle blockages and drainage predicaments while simultaneously elevating the Nairobi River's carrying capacity. The deployment of the Green Army, alongside other environmental units, and the enlargement and regeneration of the Nairobi River lie at the heart of Nairobi City County's endeavors to bolster the city's resilience and preparedness against intense rainfall.

Furthermore, Sakaja announced that the Nairobi City County’s Dishi na County school feeding programme, which currently caters to 326,000 children daily at a mere Sh5, is set to broaden its nutritional scope by incorporating fruits. This programme, which marked its three-year milestone since the initial meal on August 28th, 2023, has significantly contributed to heightened school attendance and enrolment, as Sakaja expressed satisfaction with its impact on enhancing school participation.

The County plans to extend the Dishi na County initiative to secondary schools, thereby granting access to nutritious meals for a larger number of learners. The Governor emphasized the program’s positive influence, stating that schools participating in Dishi na County have achieved 100 percent enrolment and zero absenteeism, highlighting the program's role in keeping children in school while ensuring they receive essential nourishment.

With the ongoing expansion of the Dishi na County, the County Government remains committed to ensuring that no child remains deprived of meals due to hunger. This story appeared first on Kahawatungu.