Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has activated a multi-agency emergency command centre at Charter Hall, City Hall, as the county intensifies preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains.
The facility will serve as the Crisis Communication Centre and Emergency Operations Command Post during Operation Okoa Maisha, a joint disaster simulation exercise aimed at assessing Nairobi’s ability to respond to floods and other emergencies.
Sakaja said the command centre would bring together national and county agencies under a single coordination structure to ensure consistent communication and a unified response during emergencies.
He called on all agencies involved to operate as one team, with the primary objective of protecting lives and property.
The exercise is part of the governor’s “One County, One Plan, One Command” approach to disaster preparedness, which seeks to bring agencies involved in Nairobi’s emergency response under one coordinated system.
Sakaja has directed the agencies to accelerate flood-control measures, particularly in known hotspots, while clearing drainage systems and removing structures obstructing waterways.
The simulation will assess the city’s emergency response chain, including how information is relayed from the command centre to response teams and residents. It will also test coordination among security, rescue, humanitarian, roads, drainage and emergency management agencies.
Charter Hall will act as the central hub for collecting and consolidating reports from different teams, enabling authorities to maintain a common picture of unfolding emergencies.
The county has meanwhile stepped up drainage clearance, desilting and widening of waterways in flood-prone areas, with additional earth-moving equipment deployed to vulnerable locations.
Sakaja said Nairobi could not afford to wait for heavy rains before responding, stressing the need for advance preparations and readiness among emergency teams.
Also Read: SHA Extends Deadline for Hospitals to Secure New Contracts
The county has also activated emergency hotlines 1508 and 1190 and identified evacuation points and shelters for residents who may be affected by flooding.
Authorities have been directed to facilitate the relocation of residents living in high-risk areas along the Mathare, Ngong and Nairobi rivers to safer locations.
Sakaja maintained that occupying riparian areas was not permitted, saying the planned relocations were intended to protect residents from potential loss of life.
The Charter Hall command centre is expected to provide a single coordination point for agencies throughout the rainy season, enabling faster information sharing and a more coordinated emergency response.
The simulation comes as Nairobi prepares for potentially heavy rains during the October-December season, with county authorities increasing interventions in areas vulnerable to flooding.
