Sakaja Takes Immediate Action After Heavy Rains Pound Nairobi, Leaving Residents Stranded

The Nairobi City County Government has activated an emergency response plan as heavy rains continued to pound the capital, leading to flooding in several areas.

In a statement issued on Friday, March 6, the county administration led by Governor Johnson Sakaja revealed that it had mobilized resources and personnel to respond to the ongoing downpours and protect residents and property across the city.

According to the county, the Disaster Management and Risk Department has deployed teams across the capital while urging residents to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety as the rains intensify.

The county also confirmed the activation of a Multi–Sectoral Disaster and Flood Mitigation Committee tasked with providing 24-hour monitoring and rapid response services.

Floods across Nairobi on March 6, 2026.

As part of the response, technical teams under the county’s Mobility and Works sector, alongside the “Green Army,” have been deployed across all 17 sub-counties to carry out emergency de-silting of drainage systems and clear blocked waterways.

Officials also revealed that the county is working closely with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to ensure major roads remain passable despite the heavy rains.

“Specifically, all KURA contractors have been directed to be on the ground immediately to conduct urgent mitigation on their corridors,” the county stated.

The interventions include opening blocked drainage systems, removing fallen trees, and clearing debris from roads to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

At the same time, emergency response teams from the county’s Fire and Disaster Management units have been deployed to flood-prone hotspots across the city to carry out rescue operations where necessary.

A multi-agency response team, including officers from the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Red Cross, is coordinating field operations to improve response efficiency.

Authorities also revealed that low-lying informal settlements have been identified as high-risk zones for flooding. To cushion affected residents, the county confirmed that temporary evacuation centres equipped with essential supplies have already been established in areas considered most vulnerable.

Residents facing emergencies such as flooding, fallen trees, or other life-threatening incidents have been urged to contact the county’s 24-hour dispatch centre through the following numbers: 020 2222181, 020 2223182, 020 2222183, or 020 2344599.

The county further issued a safety advisory warning residents against attempting to cross flooded roads or bridges either on foot or in vehicles.

Officials also cautioned the public to stay away from downed electricity lines and avoid standing under trees during storms due to the heightened risk of electrocution and falling branches.

In addition, residents were encouraged to report blocked drainage systems or damaged infrastructure using the emergency hotlines so that response teams can intervene quickly.

The warning comes as heavy rainfall continued to affect several parts of Nairobi, raising concerns about flash floods, traffic disruption, and damage to infrastructure if the downpours persist.

Videos and images circulating on social media captured motorists struggling through flooded roads, with several vehicles partly submerged in rising water, underscoring the extent of the disruption caused by the heavy rains.

The flooding triggered major traffic snarl-ups across key sections of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, severely affecting evening commutes for thousands of motorists.

In response to the worsening gridlock, Moja Expressway Company stepped in and allowed motorists to use the Nairobi Expressway free of charge until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in a bid to ease congestion on flooded roads.