Kenya Stockholm Blog

The recent catastrophic floods in Nairobi, which resulted in a harrowing death toll of at least 76 individuals, with 29 more injured and 19 still missing, lay bare a city in profound distress. Over 131,450 people have been uprooted from their homes, entire neighborhoods submerged, and essential infrastructure has collapsed under the weight of unrelenting waters. This devastating catastrophe, while precipitated by natural forces, is undeniably exacerbated by the gross mismanagement and corrupt practices endemic in the administration of Governor Sakaja. It is clear that under his rudderless leadership, the residents of Nairobi have been left vulnerable to an avoidable disaster. The time has come for Governor Sakaja to resign, as his administration’s failures have proven catastrophic for the city he was meant to protect.

Governor Sakaja’s glaring incompetence has plunged Nairobi into a perilous state, with his ineptitude starkly evident in the city’s lack of a coherent masterplan and his dismal understanding of its critical infrastructure needs. Elected with questionable academic credentials and no prior management experience, Sakaja’s inability to grasp complex urban planning issues is disastrous. His ignorance extends to the fundamentals of the city’s drainage systems, an area where the expertise of hydraulic engineers is crucial. Without a grasp of water behavior and flood management strategies, Governor Sakaja leaves Nairobi vulnerable and unprepared, exacerbating the city’s susceptibility to devastating floods.

At the heart of Nairobi’s vulnerability is a fundamentally flawed approach to urban planning, characterized by poor drainage systems that are inadequate, poorly maintained, and often choked by debris due to neglect and mismanagement. These systems, critical for the safe channeling of stormwater, have been left to decay, turning what should have been manageable weather events into deadly inundations. The culpability for this lies squarely at the feet of Governor Sakaja, whose administration has consistently failed to address these known issues, thereby gambling with the lives of Nairobi’s residents.

Compounding the drainage crisis is the rampant, unchecked urbanization overseen by the current government. Under Governor Sakaja’s watch, Nairobi has expanded rapidly and recklessly, with natural land being replaced by impermeable surfaces at an alarming rate. This transformation, driven by greed and corruption, has severely reduced the city’s ability to manage rainwater runoff. Natural buffers that once absorbed rainfall have been decimated, replaced by concrete that sends water rushing into streets and homes with nowhere else to go.

Moreover, the city’s waterways, which should serve as natural outlets for excess water, have been grossly neglected. Rivers, streams, and canals have become clogged with garbage and construction debris, much of it dumped illegally and without consequence under the current administration. This has not only reduced their capacity to manage floodwater but has turned these waterways into a source of hazard rather than relief during rainy seasons.

The city’s infrastructure, too, has been poorly planned and inadequately built to withstand the stresses of extreme weather, a failing that has become painfully evident as bridges have been submerged and roads washed away. Infrastructure projects have often been executed without adequate foresight or adherence to safety standards, indicative of a leadership more concerned with short-term gains than the long-term safety and well-being of its populace.

Decrepit City’s Emergency Response System

The changing climate, bringing with it more frequent and intense rainstorms, has further tested Nairobi’s resilience. Yet, the response from Governor Sakaja’s administration to these clear and present dangers has been woefully inadequate. Instead of strengthening the city’s defenses against floods, his government has remained inert, paralyzed by corruption and incompetence. The lack of adequate flood barriers and emergency response strategies has left residents defenseless in the face of rising waters, leading to unnecessary loss of life and property.

Even more damning is the failure of dams and levees, critical structures in managing water flow during storms, which have been allowed to deteriorate or have been poorly constructed under Sakaja’s governance. The catastrophic failure of these structures during recent floods speaks volumes about the neglect and mismanagement that characterize his tenure.

In times of disaster, the efficacy of a city’s emergency response can mean the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, Nairobi’s emergency planning under Governor Sakaja has proven ineffective and inadequate. The city’s response to the flooding was slow and disorganized, exacerbating the already dire situation and underscoring a profound lack of preparedness.

The blocked culverts and drainage channels, small yet critical components of the city’s drainage system, have also contributed significantly to the flooding. These have been neglected to the point of dysfunction, indicative of a broader pattern of negligence that has permeated the city’s management.

In light of these catastrophic failures, it is evident that Governor Sakaja’s continued leadership poses a significant risk to the safety and well-being of Nairobi’s residents. His inability to manage the city’s infrastructure and prepare for inevitable weather events has already cost too many lives. Governor Sakaja must step down, and a new, competent, and transparent leadership must take the helm. Only then can Nairobi begin to rebuild and reforge itself into a city capable of protecting its residents from the ravages of nature and the negligence of its leaders. The time for change is now; the lives of Nairobi’s citizens depend on it.

Okoth Osewe