Nairobi County is set to begin demolishing houses along riparian land as part of efforts to address flooding issues

 HE, Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that structures built on riverbanks will be removed to restore natural waterways and prevent future flooding. 

By Bruno Aero Family Media 16 /March /2026 7Hrs

The move is in response to severe flooding that has affected the city, causing loss of life and property damage. Sakaja emphasized that painful decisions are necessary to protect residents and improve the city's drainage system. ²

The county government has identified areas along the Nairobi River, Ngong River, and Mathare River as high-risk zones and will prioritize demolition and restoration efforts.

Nairobi Governor HE, Johnson Sakaja speaking during a press briefing Monday 16 the March 2026,

After severe rains caused disruptions in numerous areas of the capital, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has proposed a raft of measures to deal with perennial flooding in the city. 

Among the measures is the demolition of infrastructure along the river banks. 

Those who have constructed houses on river banks will have to move. Because we will remove those houses. We have assembled the equipment to do the work. They know they are not supposed to be there,” said Sakaja. 

According to the Governor, machinery would be brought to demolish the infrastructure along the river lines in Nairobi. 

“You will see us demolish walls along the river. Painful decisions must be made. I hope we get cooperation as we open up. There are areas like Brookside that are affected all the time. We are coming,” said Sakaja. 

The governor, on Monday, held a meeting with the Joint Implementation Committee on the Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and Nairobi City County Government. 

The committee ordered the Nairobi Rivers Commission, Nairobi Water, KURA, KeRRA, and KeNHA, as well as the county transportation sector, to present a thorough collaborative evaluation and costed response plan on the flood damage within 48 hours.

The report will identify and map drainage bottlenecks and damaged infrastructure across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties, prioritise de-silting of drainage systems and repairs on damaged roads, and recommend long-term improvements to the city’s stormwater drainage network.

The committee further directed a multi-agency team to intensify enforcement and recovery of riparian and floodplain areas under the Nairobi Rivers Commission to restore natural river flow and reduce recurrent flooding.

According to Sakaja, satellite and GIS mapping of Nairobi’s River corridors, flood plains and high-risk zones will be prepared and shared with government agencies and the public to strengthen disaster preparedness and urban planning.

Over 4,000 household water treatment supplies have been supplied, and more than 300 flood-affected homes and sanitary facilities have been cleaned. 

Additionally, Sakaja says community health advocates educated over 1,300 neighbours about water safety and hygiene, while public health professionals cleansed over 30 flood-affected schools, benefiting over 3,800 students.