Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja speaks to the media in Nairobi on March 16, 2026, after a meeting of the Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and Nairobi City County, announcing a 48-hour action plan to address flooding, damaged roads and drainage hotspots across the city.
By Peace Muthoka
Nairobi, March 16, 2026 – The Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and Nairobi City County has ordered an immediate and coordinated response to flooding in the capital.
The committee directed key agencies to prepare a comprehensive 48-hour action plan to address damaged infrastructure and failing drainage systems across Nairobi.
Speaking after the meeting, Johnson Sakaja said the response plan will take effect immediately.
He said infrastructure agencies will conduct a joint assessment of flood damage and submit a costed recovery plan within 48 hours. The assessment will focus on heavily affected road corridors and drainage systems across the city.
The meeting brought together principal secretaries and senior officials from several national and county agencies. They included Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Water Resources Authority and the National Treasury.
The committee also directed technical teams to map flood-prone areas across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties. The teams will identify blocked drainage systems and prioritise de-silting and road repairs to reduce further flooding during the ongoing rainy season.
Sakaja said a multi-agency taskforce will also intensify enforcement and recovery of riparian and floodplain areas. The move aims to restore the natural flow of rivers and reduce recurring floods in vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Authorities further announced that the major water transmission pipeline along Outer Ring Road, which floods had damaged, has been repaired. The repair has restored water supply to estates including Buruburu, Kariobangi, Dandora and parts of Mathare.
Repair works are still ongoing on distribution lines serving Kiambiu and Korogocho.
Meanwhile, Sakaja confirmed that county public health teams have been deployed to affected areas to prevent disease outbreaks. The teams have already disinfected more than 300 households and sanitation facilities. They have also distributed over 4,000 household water treatment supplies.
Public health officers have further disinfected more than 30 flood-affected schools, protecting about 3,800 students.
Sakaja said the national and county governments will maintain a single-window implementation approach to speed up recovery and mobilise resources.
The committee will reconvene on March 19 to review the 48-hour implementation report and assess progress on the flood response plan.
