Sakaja: Most El Niño hotspots cleared as Nairobi collects 100,000 tonnes of garbage

Nairobi county has collected more than 100,000 tonnes of garbage in a month as it steps up efforts to reduce flooding risks ahead of the anticipated El Niño rains, Governor Johnson Sakaja has said.

Sakaja said the operations, which include clearing drainage systems, removing waste from waterways and restoring rivers, had helped address flood risks in several hotspots across the city.

The county collects approximately 3,200 tonnes of garbage daily, with the Green Army leading efforts to keep the city clean and prevent waste from blocking drainage channels.

“Through the coordinated efforts of our teams, particularly the Green Army, which has been cleaning the city, unclogging drainage systems and collecting and disposing of waste, we have collected more than 100,000 tonnes of garbage in just one month, averaging approximately 3,200 tonnes daily,” Sakaja said.

The governor attributed the progress to joint efforts by county departments and national government agencies, saying coordinated operations had strengthened the city’s preparedness.

He said teams had also undertaken desilting and dredging along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers to improve water flow and reduce the risk of rivers bursting their banks.“These efforts have helped reduce the risk of flooding in several El Niño hotspots. In areas where illegal dumping had obstructed river channels, our teams have undertaken desilting and dredging to improve water flow and minimise the risk of rivers bursting their banks,” he said.

Sakaja said the county’s preparedness plan was anchored on six interventions targeting drainage, waste management, public awareness and emergency response.

The first intervention involves restoring the capacity of major waterways through desilting, dredging, deepening and reclaiming riparian corridors to improve water flow.

The county is also targeting residents living in high-risk flood zones, particularly those occupying riparian reserves and other flood-prone areas. Sakaja urged residents to cooperate with authorities where relocation to safer areas is necessary.

The third intervention focuses on regular garbage collection, clearing drainage systems and keeping waterways free of waste, with Green Army personnel deployed across the city.

Through Nairobi’s six-borough administrative system, the county is also conducting public awareness campaigns to educate residents on flood risks, safety precautions and the steps to take during emergencies.

The fifth pillar involves coordination between county and national government agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), the Kenya Red Cross and disaster management teams.The agencies are expected to coordinate drainage works, evacuations, rescue operations and other emergency interventions.

The final intervention focuses on training emergency response teams and conducting simulation exercises to test their preparedness, coordination and rescue capabilities.

Despite the progress, Sakaja said the county was maintaining its readiness following warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department that the rains could begin at any time.

“Our efforts are ongoing, and we continue to strengthen our preparedness. The Kenya Meteorological Department has advised that the rains could begin at any time, and we have made significant progress in getting the city ready. However, there is still more work to be done, and our teams remain on the ground to ensure that we respond effectively,” he said.

The county’s preparations also include identifying flood-prone areas, strengthening community-based disaster response teams and improving coordination for evacuations and emergency operations.

Sakaja urged residents to avoid dumping waste in drainage channels and to cooperate with authorities where safety measures, including evacuations, are necessary.

He also called on businesses and private garbage collectors to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean, warning that irresponsible waste disposal could undermine efforts to reduce flooding.

The county says it will continue drainage clearance, river restoration and waste management operations as it prepares for the anticipated rains.