The ongoing floods in Nairobi have prompted the urban roads regulator’s decision to close some roads, and the county government’s decision to temporarily halt major construction and excavation work until further notice.
- In a press statement, Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the halt of construction projects as part of the government’s efforts to prevent further disaster.
- More than 60,000 people have been affected by the floods, with displacements witnessed across many neighbourhoods including Mathare, Baba Dogo, Githurai, and Zimmerman, Ruiru, Kijabe, Ruai, Ruaraka, Kitengela, and Utawala.
- The flash floods have also claimed the lives of four people, with six others reported missing as a multi-agency task force plans to mitigate further disaster in the most affected residential areas.
“We have halted all building development approvals for now until we review all those that have been issued across the city. We have also banned excavation in all sites especially those in riparian areas with immediate effect,” said Johnson Sakaja.
These directives are intended to proactively prevent the collapse of buildings, a phenomenon common in the rainy season. The review process will evaluate the structural integrity of existing buildings. The governor also said that several bridges have collapsed in Nairobi including Huruma-Gateway bridge, Ngumba Bridge, Ngomongo, and the Githathuru footbridge. Gov. Sakaja has also ordered individuals living along river beds and stipulated flood-prone areas to relocate immediately. About 3,000 people have been earmarked for habitation in safe shelters where they shall receive food assistance.
“The bursting of the Ngong River banks has affected many areas across the city especially downstream including the flooding of Mbagathi Roundabout, flooding in Ectoville Industrial Estate in Mukuru kwa Reuben Ward, flooding in Mwiki Ward along Eastern bypass,” Gov. Sakaja said.
Floods Trigger Road Closures
The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has also partially closed some roads to prevent motorists from getting swept away by floods hitting these places. They include : Aerodrome Road, Kapenguria Road, UN avenue in Runda, and Kasarani-Mwiki Road.
“Motorists are also warned of flooding along Mombasa Road at Cabanas, Thika Road at Githurai/ Kahawa bridge. The traffic police and our technical team are on the ground to direct traffic and enhance the safety of Motorists. We shall keep you posted as the situation unfolds,” KURA said in a statement.
The traffic police department also announced the closure of Kibiko Road in Ngong. Other roads added to the flooding risk list include Lunga Lunga Road, Kahawa Sukari Road, Limuru Road, Kamiti Road and Lower Kabete Road.
The floods have disrupted many small businesses in affected areas which are counting losses over the destruction of their premises and commodities. The Kenya Meteorological Department has stated that more rains are expected across the country, sensitizing the need for collaboration between both levels of government and disaster management agencies to save lives and property.
