{
  "id": 9329993,
  "title": "Sakaja waives approval for minor repairs as Nairobi prepares for El Niño rains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/sakaja-waives-approval-for-minor-repairs-as-nairobi-prepares-for-el",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T11:36:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/sakaja-waives-approval-for-minor-repairs-as-nairobi-prepares-for-el-nino-rains/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has waived the need for approval and application for minor building repairs as the city gears up for the predicted El Niño rains. This allows residents to make repairs like installing gutters and fixing houses and compounds without going through the standard county application procedures. Speaking at a flood-prevention inspection, Sakaja directed the County Secretary to issue an official notice on the waiver and encouraged residents to take advantage of it to prepare their homes. He stated that the waiver will be in effect until the start of the El Niño rains. The governor spoke while the county deployed more earth-moving equipment to flood-prone areas and intensified widening, deepening, and desilting of drainage channels. However, Sakaja noted that illegal dumping remains a significant problem, with waste blocking waterways and drainage systems, warning that enforcement officers would act against violators. He also addressed private waste collectors for dumping waste in open spaces and warned their operating licenses could be permanently revoked. Sakaja's preparedness plan involves a multi-agency framework including the Nairobi County Government and national and humanitarian agencies. The approach is guided by a \"One County, One Plan, One Command\" strategy to coordinate resources and emergency operations. The county has set up an Emergency Operations Centre and a dedicated emergency hotline for reporting flooding and other emergencies. It has also identified 27 drop-off points and shelters for evacuation if needed. A four-day simulation exercise is planned for later this month to test the city’s emergency response systems. The county continues with drainage clearance, vegetation removal, desilting, and waste removal from waterways and drainage corridors, urging residents to clear drainage channels around their homes and install gutters.",
  "summary": "Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has waived application and approval requirements for minor building repairs as the county intensifies preparations for anticipated El Niño rains and warns against illegal dumping.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Nairobi Waives Approvals for Minor Building Repairs Ahead of Expected Rains",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/nairobi-waives-approvals-for-minor-building-repairs-ahead-of-expected",
        "published": "2026-09-23T11:49:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}