Nairobi deploys 4,000 workers to clear drains ahead of record El Niño

Kenya's capital is mobilizing a workforce of more than 4,000 people to clear drainage systems and remove informal structures ahead of the winter rainy season. The county government launched this operation as forecasters predicted the strongest El Niño event on record, which is expected to peak between November and December and persist into early 2027. The initiative, known as the Green Army, primarily consists of youth employed in a city program. These workers are currently focused on widening ditches and dismantling unauthorized buildings to reduce the risk of catastrophic flash floods.

Nairobi's infrastructure was designed for a population of approximately two million people. The city now supports a daytime population close to seven million. This demographic shift has strained the aging drainage network. Bramwell Simiyu, the chief officer of disaster management for the county government, noted that the existing systems are ill-equipped for the current volume of residents. The mismatch between infrastructure capacity and population density creates a high risk for water buildup during heavy rains.

Flash floods have become a recurring threat to the city's low-income neighborhoods. More than 100 people died in rain-induced floods in March of last year. Residents in these areas frequently report that their homes fill with water when storms hit. The county government is now preparing for a worst-case scenario where up to 20,000 households may be affected. Supplies and evacuation centers are being staged in anticipation of the rainy season.

The federal government has allocated $385 million to address these vulnerabilities. This funding supports a plan to widen waterways, build affordable housing, and upgrade trash pickup and sewer systems by the end of 2027. The program also funds Climate WorX, a national youth employment initiative that is collaborating with the Green Army on flood preparation tasks.

Alex Oyando, a 30-year-old worker with the Green Army, described the daily work of removing dirt and debris from riverbanks. He stated that clearing the troughs allows water to flow freely, which helps prevent flooding. Oyando noted that the shifts are manageable and provide a necessary income. Many of his colleagues live in the low-income areas that are most susceptible to flooding. For them, the work is a direct effort to protect their own neighborhoods.

The preparation efforts have included the demolition of illegal structures, such as food stalls and kiosks. These buildings are often constructed without government permits and are considered at higher risk of collapsing during natural disasters. Tobias Sifuna, a supervisor for Green Army teams in the Kamukunji area, described the demolitions as a necessary step to remove unauthorized constructions. However, the removal of these stalls has drawn criticism from community members who rely on them for income and daily needs.

Wycliffe Ochieng, a 32-year-old fruit vendor, said that the loss of stalls has left many workers without affordable lunch options. He recalled that his own stand was swept away in the previous year's floods. He lost his small grocery business and had to rebuild in a new neighborhood where he lacked an established customer base. Ochieng said he hopes the county can better safeguard livelihoods while preventing future floods, noting the fear that another major El Niño event could displace him again.