Sakaja Issues 5 Directives As Kenya Met Warns Of More Rainfall In Nairobi

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has issued five directives hours after a heavy downpour on Sunday night, March 24 through to the wee hours of Monday morning, March 25 caused chaos in the capital and even claimed the life of a police officer.

In a statement seen by Viral Tea, the county boss directed the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to mobilise its water bowsers and deploy them to the affected areas to provide residents with clean drinking water.

He also tasked public health officers and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to intensify on-ground support through the distribution of water treatment tablets as well as offer psychosocial support to those affected.

Sakaja further tasked Green Nairobi to form and deploy 170 Green Army personnel to be available as a rapid response unit ready to be deployed to unblock and unclog drainages in hot spot areas, stating "This will complement the normal activities of the rest of the Green Army."

"The deployment of technical staff and necessary equipment to immediately commence unclogging sewers and cleaning drainage systems in affected areas. Backhoes, Wheel loaders, Flushing units, Excavators," Sakaja stated in part.

He also tasked the Disaster Management Team to collaborate with the National Police Service, National Disaster Operations Centre and the Red Cross to aid in the search and recovery efforts of the missing persons.

In the statement, Sakaja reported that the county's Multi-agency Disaster Management team mapped out some of the most affected areas, which include:

1. Kangemi – Approximately 20 Households were affected in the Waruku area.
2. Mukuru Kwa Reuben and Kwa Njenga – Close to 300 families affected in the: Gatoto, Rurie, Mombasa Zone, Feed The Children, Riverside, Kosovo and Diamond areas
3. Kware – 300 families affected.
4. Kamukunji - About 150 families in Biafra and Kinyago
5. Viwandani – about 100 families in Kingston, and Kisii Village
6. Kayole – About 200 s (Matopeni)
7. Njiru area

Several roads were also affected, disrupting traffic and human movement. The roads include; Peponi, Ojijo, Bunyala, Nairobi Expressway, Baricho and Jogoo Roads respectively.

Sakaja announced that the County Government in collaboration with the National Government, the National Police Service, and the Red Cross, initiated an emergency response program, to address and redress the situation.

"All the Emergency Response Teams, including Nairobi Water and Sewerage Service, Health, Wellness and Nutrition; Mobility and Works and Disaster Management teams have been deployed to the affected areas to provide the necessary support and manage the situation. 

"Working with the Red Cross and other stakeholders, the County has mapped out the most affected households and is in the process of mobilising relief items to support those affected," he added.

Sakaja further saluted the police officer who lost his life in the line of duty, saving the lives of at least four individuals in Kamukunji, adding that the county stood in solidarity with other affected families that lost lives in Waruku, Kasarani and Dandora.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of more rainfall over several parts of Nairobi on Monday night, however, the intensity is set to be reduced in some of the areas which witnessed above-average rainfall on Sunday night.

The areas are as follows:

Weather forecast for Nairobi on March 25, 2024. /KENYA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT