At least 16 people have died as a result of the ravaging floods in Nairobi County, Governor Johnson Sakaja has said.
"We have lost 16 people who have drowned in the ongoing floods in Nairobi. It is a sad situation but as a government, we are on top of it. Kuna mambo ambayo tunafanya," he said.
Speaking during an interview with the Star on Tuesday, he said the heavy rains have so far affected 60,000 residents, where 13,000 sought refuge in the camps set up by the county government.
The number of those who turned to the camps, the governor added, is however decreasing.
He noted that of the 31 camps that had been established, only 10, which are situated in Mathare and Ruaraka subcounties are currently occupied.
Sakaja said besides sheltering them, the county has been keen to use the Dishi na County programme to feed the displaced persons.
On Monday, he announced that Dishi na County had been activated to provide meals to all the Nairobians currently displaced and in various camps, as they await resettlement.
Sakaja revealed that there is a plan to close down the camps by the end of the week.
"We are deliberating closing down these camps by the end of the week. We want to provide them with the resources to enable them to get new places," he said.
"The national government is trying to create transitional housing but as of now if you give someone a cash transfer, they will find a place. Nairobians are very resilient."
At the same time, he said they will ensure that the people will not resettle at the riparian lands.
To ensure this is adhered to, the county government is working with the National Youth Service and the National Police Service.
Sakaja said some 13 bridges around the city were damaged by the waters, adding that they have started the rebuilding process.
Last week the Ruben-Lunga Lunga bridge in Mukuru kwa Reuben, Embakasi South was swept away but on Monday the county stated that it had begun its reconstruction.
The reconstruction, the governor added, will also ensure that the county is ready for the May 6, schools reopening.
