Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has acknowledged the city’s drainage system’s struggles to handle heavy rainfall, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades. Speaking during an interview on HOT 96 Breakfast, Sakaja admitted that the drainage capacity in Nairobi is unable to cope with the increasingly intense rains, stressing that the problem isn’t primarily blockage but the limited capacity of the current system. “The rains we have are extremely higher than before, but of course we need to expand the infrastructure,” Sakaja noted, pledging to tackle the issue and improve the drainage systems.
Nairobi’s drainage woes have been exacerbated by the city’s rapid urbanization, which has led to a strain on existing infrastructure. While some roads, such as Kipande Road, have seen improvements with reduced flooding, the governor explained that many parts of the city still face challenges. Sakaja’s administration is focused on raising the capacity of the drainage systems to handle the overwhelming rainfall, but he also pointed to the lack of sufficient resources as a significant hurdle.
Aside from drainage issues, Governor Sakaja addressed the ongoing challenge of hawker presence in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). Following a directive issued on January 6, 2025, the county government moved hawkers to designated backstreets, with operations permitted from 4 pm to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday. Sakaja reiterated his commitment to maintaining order in the CBD, stating that efforts were being made to change the personnel overseeing the enforcement of hawking rules. “We are raising the capacity and changing some of the inspectorate officers working in the CBD,” he said, acknowledging the persistence of hawkers trying to return to the streets.
Sakaja also touched on Nairobi’s road infrastructure, emphasizing the division of responsibility between the county and national government. “Nairobi cannot get the same allocation as any other county because of its significance,” Sakaja said, highlighting the need for better resource allocation to improve roads under the county’s jurisdiction. He also raised concerns over cases of vandalism, which have hampered progress in infrastructure development. The county is working with the police to curb vandalism and ensure the safety of workers engaged in road repairs.
Regarding the recent controversy surrounding the rapid development of buildings in areas like Kilimani, Sakaja confirmed that the county is awaiting an audit report on construction projects carried out in the past two years. A team of experts from the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), and the Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP) is reviewing the situation to ensure adherence to building regulations and maintain green spaces. Sakaja concluded by emphasizing that buildings that violate construction rules will not be granted occupational licenses, underscoring the importance of creating order in Nairobi’s built environment.
