Nairobi was devastated by floods on the night of March 6, 2026, resulting in over 28 fatalities, displaced families, destroyed homes, and roads transformed into rivers. Public anger has quickly targeted the Nairobi City County government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
However, before assigning blame, a more critical question must be asked. Is this tragedy merely a leadership failure, or the consequence of a deeper structural issue that Nairobi has neglected for decades?
The uncomfortable reality is that Nairobi has always been susceptible to flooding. Much of the city is situated on a floodplain with thin, water-saturated soil that becomes easily waterlogged. In many respects, Nairobi contradicts fundamental engineering principles. Rapid urbanization, diminishing wetlands, and unregulated development have exacerbated the problem.
This reality does not excuse the current county leadership. The purpose of leadership is to address challenging circumstances, not to inherit problems and delay solutions.
Governor Sakaja may not be able to relocate Nairobi to higher ground, but the county government possesses effective tools at its disposal. One of the most immediate and practical measures is maintaining the drainage system. Year after year, Nairobi’s drains become obstructed with plastic waste, soil, and debris. When intense rainfall occurs, the water has no place to flow.
This prompts a pertinent question: what have been the county’s priorities?
Nairobi already has a workforce, the well-publicized Green Army, responsible for maintaining the city’s cleanliness. If drainage is among the capital’s most pressing challenges, why are clogged drains still a widespread sight throughout the city?
Another concern is uncontrolled development. High-rise buildings continue to emerge across Nairobi, often pushing infrastructure beyond its capacity. Roads remain narrow, drainage systems outdated, and planning enforcement inconsistent. Permitting rapid construction without enhancing supporting infrastructure is a formula for the exact type of disaster the city is currently facing.
Assigning blame alone will not prevent future floods. Yet accountability is essential.
Governor Sakaja cannot perform miracles, but Nairobians are entitled to expect visible action. This means unclogged drainage systems, stricter urban planning enforcement, and long-term solutions that recognize the city’s environmental constraints.
If tragedies of this nature continue recurring during every rainy season, the question will no longer be whether the problem is structural.
The question will be whether leadership chose to act or merely observed the rising waters and postponed solutions.