Kenya, Netherlands Begin Plan for Nairobi Flood Warning System Ahead of El Niño.
Written by Boaz Nyabuto on July 16, 2026
Kenya is set to launch a Nairobi Flash Flood Early Warning System in a move aimed at reducing deaths, protecting property, and improving disaster response as flooding continues to pose a major threat to the capital during heavy rains.
The initiative is being developed through a partnership between the State Department for Water and Sanitation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya, which is funding a scoping study to guide the establishment of the system. The study is being undertaken by engineering firms Haskoning and Rebel.
The proposed system is expected to provide timely flood warnings, allowing emergency responders, government agencies, and residents to prepare before flash floods strike, ultimately reducing the loss of life, economic damage, and environmental destruction.
The announcement comes after years of devastating floods across the country, with Nairobi among the hardest-hit areas whenever heavy rains occur. Flooded roads, submerged homes, disrupted businesses, and stranded motorists have become a familiar sight during every rainy season.
Earlier this year, the National Police Service reported that at least ten people lost their lives following heavy rains that triggered flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage in different parts of the country, with the Eastern region recording the highest number of fatalities.
The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) has warned that there is a 90 per cent to 96 per cent chance of El Niño conditions persisting through the end of the year, bringing above-normal rainfall and heavy floods, particularly during the October to December short rains.
Additionally, Kenya Met has continuously cautioned that continued heavy rainfall could lead to renewed flooding, urging water agencies to closely monitor river levels while road authorities prepare for possible damage to transport infrastructure caused by rising water levels.
According to the government, Nairobi’s recurring floods have displaced thousands of people over the years and contributed to significant economic losses, with annual damages linked to flooding estimated to exceed Ksh64 billion.
Last week, between July 6 and July 9, a delegation from Haskoning and Rebel met with government agencies, county officials, and private-sector stakeholders to assess Nairobi’s existing flood management systems and identify gaps to be addressed before the warning system is implemented.
The consultations brought together representatives from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Nairobi City County, the Water Resources Authority, the Kenya Meteorological Department, NETFUND and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, among other institutions.
Officials said the study will examine the technical, operational, and financial requirements needed to establish an integrated warning system capable of detecting flood risks early and coordinating timely responses across the city.
Once completed, the scoping study will guide detailed feasibility studies and help mobilise funding for implementation, bringing Nairobi closer to a system that could significantly improve the city’s preparedness for increasingly frequent and destructive flash floods.
