Deputy President Kithure Kindiki Warns Of Forced Evacuations In Nairobi El Nino Flood Hotspots

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a warning that residents living in flood-prone areas of Nairobi may face temporary evacuations to designated holding grounds if upcoming heavy rains pose a direct threat to safety and property.

Speaking during a multi-agency disaster preparedness meeting in Karen, Nairobi, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Kindiki confirmed that national and county security teams have established contingency plans ahead of heavy rainfall projected to begin between the second and third weeks of October.

“The weather projections point to significant rainfall in Nairobi, which could increase the risk of flooding, damage to roads and drainage systems and possible disruptions to electricity supply,” Kindiki stated. “We have identified possible evacuation areas and temporary holding grounds, and we are preparing food, non-food items and medical supplies for residents who may be forced to leave their homes.”

The coordinated intervention involves the Nairobi City County Government alongside national infrastructure agencies overseeing roads, urban drainage, and energy networks. City authorities have mapped 227 flood hotspots across Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties. Informal settlements and low-lying residential areas—including Mukuru, Pipeline, Imara Daima, Kware, Kibera, Nyayo Highrise, Nairobi West, Madaraka, Lang’ata, and parts of Embakasi—have been flagged for intense monitoring and potential emergency relocation support. To accommodate displaced households, 27 primary shelters and drop-off points, mainly public schools and civic facilities, have been designated.

“Residents in high-risk areas will receive alerts and evacuation orders in good time if relocation becomes necessary, and the process will be carried out in an organised manner,” Kindiki added, calling on residents to remain calm and cooperate with official evacuation directives.

Complementary preventive measures are being executed across related sectors. The Ministry of Health has activated response protocols across 18 high-risk counties, which include plans to distribute 10 million treated mosquito nets to prevent vector-borne disease surges. Concurrently, the State Department for Public Health has proposed a monthly national sanitation drive to mitigate waterborne illness risks.

In the energy sector, field engineers have commenced structural inspections along key transmission corridors to minimize storm-induced power outages and guard against infrastructure vandalism during the rainy period. Despite acknowledged budget limitations, the Deputy President emphasized that both levels of government are taking proactive measures to safeguard lives and minimize economic disruption.