Sakaja Intervenes After Heavy Downpour in Nairobi

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has finally intervened following the heavy rains recorded in various parts of the city on Friday, January 5.

In a statement dated Saturday, January 6, Nairobi County reported that a child was swept away by the flooding water in the Mashimoni area in Kibera. 

Following the incident, Sakaja deployed a team to the area to help track the child swept by water.

The county also recorded massive destruction of property affecting residents in flood-prone areas within the city.

"The waters have subsided in the majority of the areas impacted last night due to the heavy rainfall experienced. Aside from losses and damage to property, A child was swept away last evening in the Mashimoni area in Kibera. 

"There's a team following up on this incident. The county has set up a psychosocial support team as tracing/rescue efforts continue. However, some immediate interventions are already ongoing in some areas that have been hardest hit, such as Githogoro and Mukuru, as efforts to mobilize, consolidate and deploy additional resources are being put in place," Nairobi County stated.

Sakaja's administration assured the affected residents that he would conduct damage assessment and establish how the county would help them.

"A team will be conducting an assessment today to ascertain the extent of the damages and to confirm the number of households affected and any other additional needs other than the ones identified last night, as well as conduct sensitization sessions for enhanced safety in the communities," he announced.

Drainage system was also exposed in the city with several roads becoming flooded following the heavy rains on Friday.

Sakaja noted that his administration had also taken note of the hardest hit areas and plans were on top-notch to address the situation.

Various videos shared online showed CBD sections were also affected with the pathways and roads filled with water.

On the other hand, there was disruption of traffic along key roads like Jogoo Road and Waiyaki Way given that water had filled the stretches.

In November, Sakaja announced that significant work had been done to unclog the city drainage system. He announced that over 300 intervention works had been done in the city in preparation for the El Nino.

However, the Friday rains raised questions over the quality of the work.