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Nairobi is bracing for potentially catastrophic floods as forecasters predict a strong El Niño event, prompting the city’s county government to mobilize a youth-employment program known as the “Green Army” to clear blocked waterways and drainage systems.
Mobilizing the Green Army
More than 4,000 workers have been deployed across the Kenyan capital to shovel dirt, clear debris, and dismantle unauthorized structures such as food stalls that face high collapse risks during natural disasters, as reported by NPR. Alex Oyando, a 30-year-old worker part of the initiative, explained that clearing drainage troughs allows water to flow properly and stops flooding.
Nairobi frequently suffers from severe flash floods, including an incident last March that claimed more than 100 lives and intensified public pressure on the government to improve preventative measures. Bramwell Simiyu, the chief officer of disaster management for Nairobi’s county government, noted that decades-old infrastructure built for a population under two million now serves a daytime population nearing seven million.
Multi-Million Dollar Remediation Plan
To address these systemic issues, Kenya’s federal government implemented a $385 million initiative scheduled for completion by the end of 2027 to widen waterways, construct affordable housing, and enhance sewer and trash collection systems. This federal effort collaborates with Climate WorX, a national youth employment program working alongside the Green Army.
Simiyu stated that county authorities are actively preparing emergency supplies and evacuation centers. Officials are also planning for a worst-case scenario where approximately 20,000 households, primarily located in low-income settlements, could be impacted.
Controversial Demolitions and Community Impacts
The clearance of unauthorized kiosks has generated significant public backlash. Tobias Sifuna, a Green Army supervisor in the Kamukunji area, defended the action as a necessary precaution for structures erected without county approval.
However, local residents depend heavily on these establishments for daily sustenance and income. Wycliffe Ochieng, a 32-year-old fruit vendor, reported that the destruction of nearby shops has left many workers unable to afford meals. Ochieng lost his own small grocery business and had to sleep outdoors during the previous rainy season when floodwaters blocked access to his home, while a friend who owned a food stall died while attempting to escape the rising waters.
Ochieng expressed hope that authorities will successfully safeguard livelihoods alongside preventing future disasters, noting that rebuilding his life repeatedly remains a constant struggle.
