NAIROBI, Kenya | September 24, 2026 — The government has warned Nairobi residents and property owners who have encroached on river corridors to remove structures along waterways as authorities intensify preparations for the anticipated heavy rains.
State Department for Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said government teams were conducting inspections across the capital and clearing drainage systems and river channels to minimise flooding, destruction of property, power outages and loss of lives.
Wachira spoke on Thursday after engaging residents in South B alongside area MCA Esther Waithera Chege, following a meeting chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Karen where government agencies reviewed preparations for the expected rains.
The government has been stepping up efforts to clear flood hotspots and drainage systems in Nairobi, with authorities mapping areas considered vulnerable to flooding.
“Our aim, and the instructions that we have received from none other than the Deputy President, is that we need to try our level best and ensure that there will be minimal destruction of property during the rains, and there will be minimal, if not zero, loss of lives because of flooding,” Wachira said.
Residents Told to Remove Structures
Wachira urged residents who have constructed structures along river corridors to voluntarily remove them before government enforcement teams move in.
“Those who have encroached on river lines, we are asking you, please cede ground before we come forward,” he said.
He said the government had identified areas where evacuations could be necessary in the event of flooding and urged residents in vulnerable locations to cooperate with authorities.
“There will be floods in the areas that are earmarked, where people will be evacuated,” Wachira said.
“Those who are encroaching on river lines, please just give way to the team. Ensure that you remove the boundaries and the walls that are encroaching on the rivers, so that you do not endanger yourself and other communities,” he added.
The PS said government teams were also working to ensure drainage systems and rivers remain unobstructed ahead of the rains.
“We continue doing what we are doing—a serious inspection around the county of Nairobi—to ensure that all the drainages are clear and all the rivers are clear,” he said.
The warning comes as the government intensifies preparations for the October–December rainy season, with Deputy President Kindiki separately urging Kenyans to comply with evacuation orders and other safety directives issued in flood-prone areas.
PS Warns of Power Outages
Wachira also raised concern over trees growing close to electricity infrastructure, warning that falling trees could damage power lines and trigger outages during heavy rains.
He said the government was working to improve wayleave clearance along Kenya Power lines as part of efforts to minimise weather-related disruptions.“That means that we need to up our game in terms of clearing the drainage, in terms of wayleave clearance for KPLC lines, so that we reduce as much outages as possible—outages related to trees falling on power lines,” Wachira said.
He called on Nairobi residents to support the exercise by clearing trees growing dangerously close to electricity lines.
“So, we are also calling upon residents of Nairobi to help us in clearing the wayleave. If you have a tree that is close to the power line, please help us clear that wayleave, so that during the rains we do not have outages caused by something that we are creating,” he said.
The measures are part of broader preparations by national and county authorities to reduce the impact of flooding and other weather-related emergencies in Nairobi.
Wachira Campaigns for Kenya Kwanza Support
During his engagement with South B residents, Wachira also used the opportunity to highlight development projects undertaken by the Kenya Kwanza administration during its first term.
The PS urged residents to support the administration for a second term in the 2027 General Election, citing what he described as government achievements during its time in office.
His political remarks came against the backdrop of intensified government preparations for the anticipated rains, with authorities urging residents in vulnerable areas to follow safety directives and cooperate with evacuation and flood-control measures.