The sky is clouding over Nairobi, and officials are sounding the alarm. In anticipation of the heaviest downpours yet this season, the city’s Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, issued a stark warning this morning: clear your drains, and move away from riverbanks—now.

“Even a modest shower overwhelms our drainage system,” Mr. Mosiria told reporters. Rapid urban development, paved surfaces and blocked waterways have conspired to make the city perilously flood-prone

Emergency crews have been dispatched across Nairobi to unclog drainage channels. But officials emphasise that these efforts hinge on public cooperation. “Every Nairobi resident has a role to play. Stop dumping trash into drainage lines,” Mr. Mosiria said

Beyond the drains, residents living on riparian land—those narrow strips along riverbanks—are being urged to relocate at least 30 metres away, ahead of long-term infrastructure upgrades. The message is clear: do not wait for rivers to rise while under your roof.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across Nairobi through Tuesday, August 19, with a possible drop in intensity from Wednesday. Several regions, including the Lake Victoria Basin, Rift Valley, and Central Highlands, are also bracing for similar weather.

Kenya Met has gone further, warning of flash floods, gusty winds and reduced visibility—not just in Nairobi, but across at least 33 counties over the weekend. Drivers and pedestrians have been advised to avoid flooded roads and to stay clear of open fields and trees.