Flooded streets expose Lamu's drainage woes ahead of El Nino

By  Kalume Kazungu

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Hashim Modi pauses along a flooded alley in Lamu Old Town as murky water rushes past his feet. Moments earlier, a heavy downpour had darkened the afternoon sky, sending rainwater surging through the narrow streets of the historic settlement.

But for Mr Modi, it is not the rain itself that is worrying.

What troubles him most is what lies beneath the water, an ageing drainage system and overflowing open sewers that residents fear may be ill-equipped to cope with heavier rainfall expected in the coming weeks.

Along the winding pathways of the centuries-old town, drainage channels spill over with debris-filled water, forcing pedestrians to navigate flooded walkways.

“If a brief storm can overwhelm our drainage system like this, what about the looming forecast of El Niño rains in October? It might threaten an utter disaster,” said Mr Modi.

His concerns are echoed across the island, where residents say the state of the drainage infrastructure has left them anxious about Lamu's preparedness for the anticipated heavy rains.

The worries come as the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) classified Lamu among 18 counties considered to be at high risk ahead of the anticipated El Niño season.

Residents interviewed by the Nation said the current drainage network, much of it old and poorly maintained, already struggles during ordinary rainfall and could face greater pressure if precipitation intensifies.

Yusuf Salim, a resident of Mkomani in Lamu Old Town, said overflowing sewage has become a recurring problem whenever torrential rains hit the area.

He expressed disappointment that open sewers frequently flood streets and alleyways, exposing residents to health risks and disrupting daily life.

“We always see dirty water overflowing from these sewers and flooding our pathways every time there's a simple downpour, bringing severe health risks and structural damage. We expect the system to be fully assessed and properly rehabilitated. Fixing the system now is the only way to save our town from the massive El Niño crisis next month,” said Mr Salim.

He said the drainage system is too old and has gone for years without adequate maintenance, calling for urgent rehabilitation before the rainy season intensifies.

Similar concerns were raised by Mariam Ali, a resident of Langoni, who fears flooding could heighten the risk of disease outbreaks due to the condition of open drainage channels across the town.

Ms Ali said many of the drainage systems have remained largely unchanged for generations and continue to pose sanitation challenges whenever it rains.

“During these normal rains, we've had to contend with the stench and unpleasant sight of the sewers. For years, we've pushed for the drainage systems to be improved but nothing has materialised. El Niño is coming and we would really appreciate it if something is done urgently to ensure our cries are heard and problems fixed forthwith,” she said.

She added: “These old sewers always spill over into our streets and residential areas. It's even worse during the rainy season as run-off water carries sewage material all over the island. I wonder why they leave the sewers open knowing very well what they contain.”

Beyond the drainage concerns, residents are also worried about the potential impact of prolonged heavy rainfall on the historical structures that define Lamu Old Town.

The town was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2001 and is widely regarded as the oldest and best-preserved living Swahili settlement in East Africa, with a history spanning more than 700 years.

Its coral stone houses, narrow streets and distinctive architecture reflect centuries of cultural interaction between African, Arab and Indian communities along the East African coast.

Shee Hamza, a structural engineer and resident of Gadeni, said the historic buildings could be vulnerable to extreme weather events if preventive measures are not taken.

He urged the county government to undertake rapid structural assessments of historical buildings ahead of the anticipated rains.

According to Mr Hamza, prolonged precipitation could increase the risk of soil saturation, foundation erosion and structural instability, particularly in older masonry buildings.

“We're only weeks before El Niño comes. I am worried that the heavy, prolonged precipitation might trigger soil saturation, flash floods, and rapid foundation erosion, which heavily threaten these older masonry and traditional structures. When ground moisture shifts drastically during El Niño events, it creates foundation instability that can cause instant structural failure and collapse,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Lamu Municipality Manager Adulswamadu Abdallah sought to reassure residents, saying preparations were underway to address concerns raised within the Old Town.

Mr Abdallah said the municipality had deployed engineering, environmental and enforcement teams to assess drainage systems and identify areas requiring urgent intervention before the rains begin.

“There’s nothing to worry about. I agree that our drainage systems in the historical town are old but still structurally sound. Teams are on the ground assessing the state of that drainage infrastructure, unclogging drainage lines, assessing sewer systems and identifying any matters arising for urgent redress before El Niño comes,” he said.

He also urged residents and business owners to stop disposing of waste into drainage channels, saying blockages significantly reduce the system's ability to cope with heavy rainfall.

“Our historic town relies on these narrow, ancient channels to manage heavy downpours. Throwing plastic, household garbage, or debris into them guarantees severe blockages, catastrophic flooding, and irreversible damage to our shared heritage. Let us protect our community and our history by disposing of waste responsibly. Negligence during this critical El Niño season will not be tolerated,” said Mr Abdallah.

As Lamu braces for the possibility of heavier rainfall, residents say the recent flooding has exposed longstanding weaknesses in critical infrastructure and underscored the urgency of preparing the historic island town for whatever the coming rainy season may bring.

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