Sakaja urges City residents living on riparian land to vacate

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has asked City residents living on riparian land to vacate immediately owing to heavy rains pounding the city.

The City county boss issued the directive following a meeting with a multi-agency team held Monday morning to assess the flooding situation.

The meeting agreed that the national and county governments will team up to map out the affected areas and address some of the key issues leading to flooding.

“It was resolved that all excavations along riparian have been suspended with immediate effect. All inhabitants along riverbeds and high areas must re-locate with immediate effect,” Sakaja said in a statement.

At the same time, all Private Service Providers (PSPs) have been implored to stop dumping in undesignated areas.

Sakaja said wastes are to be transported to the Dandora dumpsite and any PSP found not adhering to the directive will be impounded, and their licence withdrawn.

The multi-agency meeting brought together County Executive Committee Members (CECs), County Chief Officials (CCO), Regional County Commander (RCC), the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), District County Commission (DCC), Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company (NCWSC) and the Kenya Red Cross among other agencies.

“Please heed all warnings and advisories issued by the relevant authorities and avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas. In case of an emergency, you may reach the County via the hotline number 1508,”  Sakaja added

He said all County Government Emergency services are on high alert and standby at the scene to provide the necessary support.

After the meeting, Governor Sakaja and some of the members of the multi-agency team went on the ground to survey hard-hit areas.

They toured Mukuru kwa Reuben, Elite Estate on Ole Dume Road and surrounding areas, Gatina Ward (Facebook grounds), and Isaac Gathanju Road where residents suffered major losses.

During the tour, it was established that the bursting of the Ngong River banks has affected many areas across the city especially downstream including the flooding of Mbagathi Roundabout, Ectoville Industrial Estate in Mukuru kwa Rueben Ward and Mwiki Ward along the Eastern bypass.

The bursting of the Mau Mau riverbanks has seen churches and residential houses flooded in Westlands Sub County.

In Kiambiu informal settlement in Starehe County, at least 10 households have been affected.

An excavator is on-site clearing garbage that is interfering with the flow of storm waters.

A bridge in Nairobi’s Mukuru-Kayaba Slum in South B was also discovered to have been swept away.

In Loyangalani, Isaac Gathanju and Convent Road, flooding was caused by encroachment on water wayleaves.

City residents have been urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their property.