Nairobi County has intensified preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains, with Governor Johnson Sakaja announcing a series of measures to minimise flooding.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, August 12, Sakaja said environmental teams, including the Green Army, had been deployed across the city to tackle drainage and waterway blockages.
The teams are clearing alleyways, unclogging sewer and drainage systems, and removing accumulated silt and debris from river channels.
Sakaja said the interventions are intended to ensure rainwater can flow freely during heavy downpours, particularly in areas that are vulnerable to flooding.
"We are preparing Nairobi before the rains come. Our teams are on the ground clearing blocked waterways, opening up drainage systems and ensuring that our rivers have the capacity to carry storm water.
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"The widening of the Nairobi River under the regeneration programme is also part of this long-term preparedness," he said.
Beyond the emergency preparations, the county is implementing infrastructure works under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme.
One of the key interventions involves widening sections of the Nairobi River to increase its water-carrying capacity and enhance the flow of the river system.
The combination of drainage maintenance, environmental clean-up and river expansion is expected to strengthen Nairobi's ability to cope with intense rainfall.
This comes months after the Kenya Meteorological Department issued an update on the anticipated development of El Niño conditions in 2026.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 10, the department warned that the climate phenomenon could have a significant impact on weather patterns across the country and the wider East African region in the coming months.
Kenya Met said the current global climate models indicate a high probability that El Niño will develop and persist through the remainder of the year.
"The Kenya Meteorological Department is closely monitoring global forecasts indicating the anticipated development of El Niño conditions in 2026, which could significantly influence weather patterns across the Country," the agency said.
According to Kenya Met, most climate models suggest the event is likely to be at least moderate in strength and could potentially become strong.
"While forecasts remain subject to change as new climate data becomes available, there is an 80-82% likelihood of El Niño during June-August 2026, with probabilities near or above 90-96% for it to continue through the end of 2026," the department added.
According to Kenya Met, during June, July, and August, the phenomenon is typically associated with reduced rainfall over western Kenya, while most other parts of the country experience predominantly dry weather conditions.
However, during the October-November-December rainy season, El Niño is generally linked to enhanced rainfall across much of the country, often increasing the likelihood of wetter-than-normal conditions.
Kenya Met noted that El Niño is not the only climate driver being monitored and emphasized the importance of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which can influence how El Niño impacts Kenya.
"It is important to note that the influence of El Niño does not occur in isolation. KMD is also closely monitoring the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) signal, which modulates the effect of El Niño in Kenya.
"The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is currently neutral, and most models indicate that it is likely to remain neutral in June 2026, with the development of a positive IOD event possible later in the year," the agency explained.
Kenya Met further warned that a combination of El Niño and a positive IOD could have a greater impact on rainfall patterns during the short rains season.
"The combined effects of El Niño and a positive IOD significantly influence rainfall patterns over Kenya, potentially leading to enhanced rainfall during the October-November-December (OND) season," the department noted.
