By the 254.ke Newsroom
Nairobi County has mapped 227 flood hotspots across its 17 sub-counties ahead of the October to December short rains, and the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority expects above-average rainfall over about 80 percent of the country. Governor Johnson Sakaja’s office says a Sh2.4 billion drainage programme is underway, but as of October 12, 2026, residents in the worst-hit areas should still plan for flooding.
Heavy rain was projected for the second and third weeks of October in Nairobi and central Kenya, which means the window for finishing drain works is closing now.
How many flood hotspots does Nairobi have, and how risky are they?
The county ranks its 227 hotspots by priority: 16 are rated very high, 189 high and 22 medium. The list covers blocked or undersized drains, silted rivers and waterways, and flood-prone roads that could cut off emergency access.
| Priority | Hotspots |
|---|---|
| Very high | 16 |
| High | 189 |
| Medium | 22 |
| Total | 227 |
Dagoretti North, Mathare, Embakasi North, Embakasi South and Makadara were named as areas needing early warnings, evacuation planning and relief support.
What is Nairobi doing about it?
Sakaja set up five multi-agency teams on August 17, 2026, covering infrastructure and drainage, emergency response and evacuation, shelter and relief, security and traffic, and public communication. The Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sit in the framework.
- Budget: a Sh2.4 billion programme to clear drains, remove silt and waste from waterways and strengthen drainage. Sh2 billion of it is for works on 19 flood-prone roads.
- Deadline: on September 24, Sakaja gave county and KURA engineers and contractors 14 days to finish critical drainage and road works in known hotspots, which pointed to about October 8.
- Response: an emergency operations centre, a 1508 hotline for reporting incidents, and 27 drop-off points and shelters for evacuees, according to Kenyans.co.ke’s report of the September 24 meeting.
We could not find a public update confirming how many hotspots were cleared by the deadline, so that figure remains unverified.
When will the rains start in Nairobi?
The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority forecast, presented at the National Climate Outlook Forum in late August, puts the onset for Nairobi and central counties in the second and third weeks of October, continuing into January. It describes a season of prolonged wet spells and occasional isolated storms, with El Niño strengthening. Our region-by-region guide to short rains onset lists the dates for other counties.
What should Nairobi residents do now?
- Check whether your estate or road is near a river, drain or low-lying area, particularly in the five named sub-counties.
- Report blocked drains and flooding to the county’s 1508 hotline.
- Move documents, electronics and stock off the floor in ground-level homes and shops.
- Avoid driving or walking through moving water, and keep away from swollen rivers.
The county has also waived building repair permits to speed up pre-rain fixes, as we reported in Nairobi waives building repair permits ahead of El Niño. For the national picture, see the 18 high-risk flood counties mapped. Official seasonal outlooks are published by the Kenya Meteorological Department.
FAQ
How many flood hotspots are there in Nairobi?
The county has identified 227 across its 17 sub-counties: 16 very high priority, 189 high and 22 medium.
What number do I call to report flooding in Nairobi?
The county’s emergency operations centre uses the 1508 hotline for reporting incidents.
How much is Nairobi spending on flood prevention?
A Sh2.4 billion programme is underway, with Sh2 billion for drainage and flood-control works on 19 roads.
Will the October to December rains be heavier than normal?
The forecast says above-average rain is expected over about 80 percent of Kenya, linked to a strengthening El Niño.
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