This is a Nairobi Post editorial.
Kenyans have been warned. The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast rains and thunderstorms across several regions as El Niño conditions approach, and the October to December season has already shown what is coming.
In Kisumu, a 20-minute downpour on October 8 brought down part of a wall on Obote Road and toppled a billboard onto parked cars. County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo did not mince words: “This is just a tip of the iceberg,” he said, urging landlords and tenants to inspect ageing buildings.
Preparation is cheaper than recovery
Some counties say they are ready. Nakuru has announced measures for the expected rains, and Nairobi has published emergency numbers for residents. Those steps are welcome, but readiness is measured on the ground, not in press statements.
- Clear drains and culverts now, before they are choked with silt and waste.
- Enforce riparian reserves. Encroachment on riverbanks has been linked to flood deaths in Nairobi before.
- Inspect old and unsafe buildings, and act on demolition orders safely, with proper supervision.
- Publish evacuation routes and keep emergency lines staffed around the clock.
Shared responsibility
National government agencies, counties and residents all have a role. The newly reconstituted Nairobi Rivers Commission, for example, must show that its work on the river basin translates into fewer flooded homes.
Every rainy season produces the same images of submerged roads and displaced families. With weeks of warning in hand, this year can be different – if the work starts today.
