As the rainy season officially kicks off, Nairobi County has issued a flood alert to residents, urging heightened caution amid rising water levels and blocked drainage systems across the city.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, Chief Officer of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria confirmed that the county has activated emergency response teams to unblock stormwater drains in various flood-prone areas, including Westlands, Kilimani, and Parklands.
“We are on the ground, and our teams have been activated to address the mess created over many years,” Mosiria said, calling on Nairobians to take the flood risk seriously.
Flood teams deployed
Mosiria announced that county officers had been dispatched to multiple parts of the city to clear clogged drainage systems in preparation for continued heavy downpours over the weekend.
He cited a recent report by the Kenya Meteorological Department, which listed Nairobi among the regions expected to receive heavy rainfall over the next 3 days.
“We urge all motorists within Nairobi County to exercise extra caution,” he warned.
“Experts are predicting persistent rains, and our priority is to reduce flooding and keep roadways safe.”
The ongoing intervention, however, is just the beginning of what the county terms a long-term strategy to eliminate chronic urban flooding that plagues Nairobi during every rainy season.
Irresponsible waste disposal
According to Mosiria, part of the problem lies with the public’s failure to manage waste responsibly.
He pointed fingers at hawkers, businesses, and residents who continue to dump garbage indiscriminately, choking drainage systems and creating dangerous conditions whenever it rains.
“I wish that, as patriotic Kenyans, you would use this media platform to educate the people of Nairobi on the importance of keeping the environment clean and practicing proper solid waste management at the source,” he said.
He also urged residents to shift from only highlighting civic failures online and instead participate actively in keeping the environment safe and flood-free.
In addition to drainage cleanup, the county has vowed to crack down on developers building on riparian land.
Mosiria reiterated that illegal structures along riverbanks and water channels will be demolished as part of efforts to restore proper water flow and environmental balance.
“These areas are not meant for development,” he stated. “Encroachment is not just illegal, it’s dangerous.”
With the rains now underway, Nairobians have been warned: the best defense against floods starts with collective responsibility.
