Nairobi activates emergency command centre as Sakaja steps up El Niño flood preparations

Nairobi has moved into a higher gear ahead of the October–December rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja putting a multi-agency emergency command centre into operation and ordering teams to clear flood hotspots before heavy rainfall intensifies.

The county's latest move is aimed at fixing one of Nairobi's recurring problems during major storms: agencies responding separately while flooded roads, blocked drains and overflowing rivers create multiple emergencies at the same time.

The command centre at Charter Hall, City Hall, is now serving as the focal point for coordinating county and national response teams.

It was tested during a two-day Operation Okoa Maisha simulation that brought together Nairobi County, the National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Coast Guard and other agencies.

Sakaja said the intention was to have one system for receiving information, making decisions and directing emergency teams.

“This Charter Hall will be the one command centre for all. We need one report and one communication,” Sakaja said.

The exercise tested how information would move from the command centre to teams on the ground, including those responsible for rescue, evacuation, roads, drainage and public safety.

Why the preparations matter now

The timing is significant.

The World Meteorological Organisation says the current El Niño is strengthening rapidly and is expected to persist into early 2027. Its latest October–December outlook points to a heightened likelihood of above-normal rainfall across parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, although global climate forecasts do not replace local weather forecasts.

Kenya's Meteorological Department has also published a specific October–December 2026 forecast for Nairobi, alongside the national seasonal outlook.

For Nairobi, the concern is not simply how much rain falls.

It is where the water goes.

The county says it has identified 227 flood-prone areas across the capital's 17 sub-counties. It has been carrying out drainage and flood-control works while deploying equipment to known hotspots.

Six measures at the centre of Nairobi's plan

Sakaja's preparedness programme is built around six broad interventions.

First is restoring the capacity of the city's main waterways.

The county is clearing, desilting, widening and deepening sections of the Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers and their tributaries.

The aim is to give stormwater more room to flow and reduce the risk of rivers spilling into neighbouring communities.

The county has also been removing structures that obstruct waterways. In September, authorities oversaw the removal of structures along a waterway in Naivasha Road as part of the flood-mitigation programme.

Sakaja has repeatedly warned residents living in high-risk riparian areas to move before heavy rains arrive.

He has described the exercise as a life-saving measure rather than an attempt to displace communities.

“You must move. We do not want you to die,” he said while urging residents along the Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi rivers to heed evacuation orders.

Second is moving people away from the most dangerous locations.

The county says some residents have already cooperated with efforts to leave areas considered unsafe, including sections around Naivasha Road and Githogoro.

But evacuation is likely to remain one of the most sensitive parts of the plan.

For families living in informal settlements or close to waterways, moving is not simply a matter of packing a few belongings. Homes, businesses, schools and livelihoods are often tied to those locations.

That makes early communication and clear arrangements for temporary shelter critical if evacuations are to work without creating another crisis.

Third is clearing the city's drainage network.

Nairobi's flood problems are often worsened when drains, culverts and waterways become blocked by waste and silt.

The county has deployed about 4,500 Green Army workers across the city to support drainage clearance, waste collection and related environmental work. Sakaja has also urged residents and businesses to stop dumping rubbish in drainage channels.

The county's message is that flood preparedness cannot be left entirely to government teams.

A cleared drain can quickly become blocked again if rubbish is dumped into it.

Fourth is taking preparedness closer to neighbourhoods.

Nairobi's six boroughs are being used to mobilise residents and provide local information ahead of heavy rainfall.

Borough managers are expected to conduct public awareness campaigns on flood risks, areas to avoid and what residents should do when an emergency occurs.

The idea is to shorten the distance between City Hall and residents when warnings or evacuation orders need to reach communities quickly.

Fifth is bringing the different agencies under one response structure.

The operation includes county disaster teams and national agencies responsible for roads, security, rescue and humanitarian assistance.

Among those involved are KURA, KeNHA, the National Disaster Operations Centre and Kenya Red Cross.

The county's stated approach is “One County, One Plan, One Command”, with Charter Hall serving as the central coordination point during an emergency.

Sixth is testing the system before a real emergency happens.

This is where the latest preparations differ from simply announcing a flood-response plan.

The county and its partners have already conducted a simulation exercise to test how quickly teams can coordinate an evacuation, rescue operation and emergency communication.

Sakaja said the exercise was intended to expose weaknesses before residents are caught in an actual flood.

Nairobi has seen the warnings before

The county's preparations come against a familiar backdrop.

Nairobi has repeatedly experienced severe flooding during periods of heavy rain, affecting roads, homes and businesses.

Drainage capacity, construction around waterways, waste blocking stormwater channels and settlements in flood-prone locations have all featured in the city's wider flood-management challenge.

The county has therefore focused on both emergency response and prevention.

In August, City Hall said it had identified 227 flood hotspots and announced a Sh2.4 billion flood-mitigation programme covering drainage and related works.

In September, Sakaja also gave engineers and contractors a 14-day deadline to complete priority drainage and road works in identified hotspots.

The real test will come when the rain falls

The county has now demonstrated that it can bring several agencies into one room and run a simulation.

The harder test will be outside City Hall.

It will be whether blocked drains remain open after days of rain, whether evacuation warnings reach people in time, whether rescue teams can reach flooded neighbourhoods and whether residents know where to seek help.

It will also be whether the county can maintain drainage and waste-clearance work throughout the rainy season rather than only ahead of the first major storm.

For residents, Sakaja's message is simple: do not wait for floodwater to arrive before taking action.

And for City Hall, the challenge is equally clear.

Nairobi's flood response will ultimately be judged not by the number of machines deployed or meetings held, but by whether people are kept safe when the rain comes.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.