El Niño preparedness: Sakaja urges Nairobi residents to clean their homes

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called on residents to participate in neighbourhood clean-up efforts as the city prepares for the anticipated El Niño rains. On Sunday, October 4, 2026, Sakaja addressed the public, encouraging people to collaborate with county teams to clear waste and drainage systems prior to the onset of heavy rainfall.

The Nairobi administration has already deployed approximately 4,500 Green Army personnel across the city's 17 sub-counties to assist with waste collection, drainage clearance, and upkeep of public spaces. Significant progress has been made in Kamulu, where drainage and flood-control works are underway, and the authorities intend to accelerate these efforts.

Additionally, the county is partnering with national roads agencies at Ruai Junction, where works include enlarging drains and clearing them. These measures are part of a broader programme aimed at addressing roads, drainage channels, and flood-prone areas. Sakaja previously instructed engineers and contractors to prioritize drainage and road works in El Niño hotspots.

Another major clean-up is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, coinciding with Mazingira Day. The governor urged residents to take part in this event through neighbourhood associations and alongside county and national government teams. The Nairobi city council has been increasingly engaging residents' associations in El Niño preparedness, disseminating emergency information and identifying necessary interventions at the neighbourhood level.

The city is also undertaking drain clearing, waste removal, and expanding drainage capacity in flood-prone areas to ensure unobstructed water flow during the rains and minimize the risk of flooding in estates, roads, and commercial zones.