Residents living downstream of Nairobi Dam have been urged to move to safer areas amid fears of possible flooding due to rising water levels. The Water Resources Authority has issued a precautionary alert warning that continued heavy rainfall has significantly increased the dam’s water levels, putting hundreds of lives at risk.
Communities located along the lower sections of the dam have been identified as most vulnerable. These include Kibera, parts of Highrise, Lang’ata, South C, Mbagathi Way, and Madaraka. Authorities say residents living or working in these areas face an imminent threat if the situation worsens, and have been advised to relocate immediately.
Governor Sakaja Calls for Urgent Action
Johnson Sakaja has echoed the warning, urging affected residents to take the evacuation notice seriously to prevent loss of life. Speaking on the situation, the governor emphasized the potential danger posed by the aging dam, which was constructed in 1953. He cautioned against politicizing the crisis, stressing that the safety of residents must come first. Sakaja also pointed to ongoing efforts under the Nairobi Regeneration Programme aimed at restoring river systems and clearing riparian land, urging residents to support relocation efforts where necessary.
As Nairobi grapples with flood risks, other parts of the country are already experiencing the devastating effects of heavy rains. In Baringo County, landslides in the villages of Kasaka and Kabarkebo have claimed two lives. Reports indicate that a woman died after a landslide, while a four-year-old child was swept away by floodwaters. The fatalities have pushed the nationwide death toll from the ongoing rains to 83. Local leaders and residents described the terrifying moment the disaster struck, with some likening the sound to an earthquake in the early hours of the morning.
Officials in affected regions are calling on residents living in flood-prone areas to remain alert and relocate where necessary. Authorities have warned that some roads have already been rendered impassable, further complicating rescue and response efforts.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued heavy rainfall exceeding 20mm within 24 hours across several parts of the country through Tuesday. With the rains expected to persist, Kenyans living in high-risk zones have been advised to exercise extreme caution and prioritize their safety.
