By Njeri Irungu,
19 March 2026,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced a sweeping plan to restore river pathways and mitigate flooding across the city after receiving a 48-hour technical report from multi-agency teams.
Speaking to the media, the governor said the report was developed following a directive issued earlier this week during a joint implementation committee meeting between the national and county governments. Engineers from Nairobi County, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and the Nairobi Rivers Commission were tasked with mapping out interventions across all 17 sub-counties.
Sakaja confirmed that the committee had reviewed the report and immediately begun implementing its recommendations, with visible works already underway in some areas. He noted that long-standing flooding challenges in the city are largely a result of human activities, including construction on riparian land and obstruction of natural waterways.
Citing the Kibagare River as an example, Sakaja explained that parts of the river had been narrowed and diverted from their natural course, leading to severe flooding. He pointed to a nearby roundabout that was recently submerged, resulting in loss of life.
“To address this, we will reclaim the full path of the river from Brookside Drive through to Oshwal,” he said, emphasizing that rivers must be allowed to follow their natural course.
The governor dismissed claims that flood mitigation efforts were concentrated in specific parts of the city, assuring residents that interventions would be carried out equitably across all regions. Planned measures include desilting, cleanup operations, and reopening blocked waterways based on GIS floodplain mapping.
Sakaja also issued a stern warning to individuals occupying riparian land, urging them to vacate before enforcement begins. He stressed that the county government would not reverse course on the initiative, citing the need to protect lives and prevent recurring disasters.
“We cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results,” he said. “We must make difficult but necessary decisions to safeguard the future of our city.”
The county government has scheduled a public engagement meeting with residents living along affected river corridors, particularly in Parklands and surrounding areas. The forum, set to take place at Westlands Primary School, will outline the planned interventions and address concerns from affected property owners.
In addition to restoring river systems, the governor revealed plans to develop public spaces along reclaimed riparian zones, including parks and a proposed curio market to support local traders.
Sakaja concluded by calling on Nairobi residents to take responsibility in protecting the environment, warning that failure to respect natural systems would continue to result in devastating consequences.
