Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has indefinitely waived the application and approval process for minor repair works as county residents prepare for the expected El Niño rains. The waiver will allow residents to put up gutters and make minor repairs to their homes and compounds to mitigate the impact of the impending rainstorms. Upon waiving the process, Governor Johnson Sakaja stated on Wednesday, September 23, that the exemption would remain in effect until the onset of the anticipated El Niño rains.
“As Nairobi prepares for the anticipated El Niño rains, I have waived the application and approval processes for minor building repairs until the onset of the rains. This will allow Nairobians to put up gutters and make minor repairs to their houses and compounds without the need for approvals.”
In its efforts to mitigate the effects of the seasonal El Niño phenomenon, the County Government announced that it had deployed additional excavators to unearth and clear major drains. City Hall teams have been working tirelessly to widen and deepen existing drainage channels and clear silt and debris from drainage lines to ensure free flow of water during the storm season. The governor has also engaged national and humanitarian agencies, including the Kenya Urban Roads Agency (KURA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission, to support the county in its fight against the El Niño rains.
“We have deployed more machines to various hotspots identified by the multi-agency taskforce as part of our preparations to mitigate the effects of El Niño. The teams are working to widen and deepen existing drainage channels and to create channels for the free flow of water”, the governor said.
In addition to working on flood-prone areas such as drainage lines, the County Government will also open an Emergency Operation Centre and a 1508 hotline for residents to report flooding and other emergency weather-related incidents. The authorities have also identified 27 drop-off points and shelters for families to seek shelter in case of an emergency. City Hall has urged residents who reside in riparian and risky areas to relocate to safer places in the wake of the impending storm season.
The governor also reminded residents not to throw waste materials in the drain lines, warning that illegal dumping would face stiffer penalties.
“Illegal dumping remains a big problem and those found dumping garbage illegally will face stiffer penalties. Similarly, Private waste disposal companies found dumping in open spaces will have their licences cancelled,” Mr. Sakaja warned.
The county’s extensive flood mitigation plan entails an array of flood control measures such as drainage line excavation and river desilting among other preparedness measures. City Hall has identified hotspots where the interventions will take place as part of its efforts to mitigate the impact of El Niño. For homeowners, the waiver means that they can make minor flood control measures such as putting up gutters and making repairs to their compounds without having to apply for approvals. However, residents were reminded that they must keep their drainage lines within their compounds clear to allow free flow of water and take other precautions especially if they reside in an area that has been identified as risky in the past.