The County Government of Nairobi has intensified preparations to mitigate the effects of the anticipated El Nino rains.
The strong team of 3,500 youths hired by the county recently to unclog drainages and direct surface water has been deployed to areas prone to flooding across the county.
Ruai, Mathare and Kibera are among 436 hotspots identified by Nairobi county as areas prone to flooding ahead of the upcoming El Nino rains.
The youths have been stationed in all the wards to ensure the havoc that is attributed to the rains is minimised and residences are safe for human habitation.
El Nino rains are expected to persist up to the October-December 2023, rainfall season and may extend to the November to January season.
On Thursday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said his administration has ramped up works across the city ahead of the El Nino rains.
"We are putting everything in order and already our green army is in the estates to make sure that we do not take any chances," he told the Star.
The county boss said his administration, more than before, has put in place mechanisms on preparedness and disaster response.
"No Nairobian should be worried at all," he said, adding that there are banked plans to avert the hazardous impacts likely to be posed by the above-average rains that could possibly lead to flooding.
The youth that were recruited last month were tasked with clearing blocked drainage systems and collecting garbage among other activities to keep the city clean.
On Thursday, they descended on parts of Kayole, Umoja, Dandora, Kawangware, Kangemi and Kibra estates unclogging drainage.
The green army was also in many other parts of the county as they intensified works.
"We have mapped out disaster hotspots and deployed green Nairobi team to unclog blocked drainages. We also have an emergency number that you will be required to call in case of emergencies. It is fully fledged emergency call center" Sakaja said.
The county government has already ordered demolition of illegal structures established along riparian lands and drainage trenches that could lead to disastrous effects during El Nino rains.
"All illegal structures put up along drainages are going to be demolished. We can't risk the lives of thousands of Nairobians at the expense of protecting the business of one person" Sakaja said.
The county government had flagged off 50 trucks, 6 fire engines, 7 flushing units, 5 ambulances, 10 excavators, 5 exhausters and 2 fully fledged mobile workshops for emergencies as mitigation measures to aid in combating the El Nino risks.
Experts have have warned that the looming wetter-than-usual condition will lead to potential floods, landslides and other natural disasters.
The World Meteorological Organisation on July 5, declared the onset of El Niño.
El Nino occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes typically last nine to 12 months.
The phenomenon usually brings heavy rains, as opposed to La Nina, which brings dry weather.
The 1997 El Nino rainfall had a devastating impact on agriculture, water resources, transport and communications and health sectors due to its uniqueness, intensity and destructive power.