200,000 at risk ahead of El Nino floods, county government warns

A caterpillar constructing a drainage line in Imaara Daima estate in Nairobi on September 9, 2023, ahead of the expected El Nino rains. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

At the same time, as part of efforts to lessen the effects of El Nino floods, the county government is unclogging drainage systems, with about 3,000 youths having been hired recently to clean up the environment, including unblocking drainages.

Simiyu added: "If necessary, force will be used to move people to safe places as the El Nino season sets."

Kasarani Deputy County Commissioner Kamau Maina, who talked on behalf of his 17 colleagues who attended the event, said that people must be moved to safer sides in order to avoid catastrophes.

He said that Korogocho, and some parts of Mathare are likely to experience heavy flooding during the El Nino season.

"We are urging people living along river banks to leave immediately and go to safer places," Maina said but without stating if there was a place the county government planned to settle those who are likely to be affected until the season ends.