El Nino: 60,000 Nairobi youths applied to clean city – official

A total of 60,000 youth applied to help spruce Nairobi County in anticipation of El Nino rains.

County Executive for Environment Ibrahim Auma Nyangoya said only 3,500 could be contracted.

Already, young people have been provided with tools to do their work.

Nyangoya said the youth will first be placed under probation.

He urged Nairobi residents to ensure that they guard gains already made.

"Be responsible for the cleanliness. The workforce is well equipped," he said.

Nyangoya warned those who will be found polluting the environment saying the full force of the law will catch up with them.

"We won't be afraid to arrest and prosecute those who are irresponsible," he warned.

The youth will be deployed to the 17 constituencies and 85 wards.

They will unblock drainages, do clean up, as well as green the city.

They will help manage physical disruption and humanitarian aspects.

Experts say the impacts of climate change are becoming frequent, high and severe.

Each sector within the devolved unit has to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the expected El Nino.

County officials say hotspots have been mapped out.