World · Africa · 49 mins ago
Nairobi prepares for possible El Niño floods as residents fear for safety
As Kenya’s short rainy season begins, Nairobi residents are bracing for possible El Niño floods.
In Kibera, a settlement beside the Ngong river, Agnes Shikoli fears her home could collapse or be swept away.
Floods earlier this year killed more than 60 people across Kenya, including Shikoli’s sister, who died after her home flooded.
Workers are clearing rubbish from rivers and drains under a government programme to reduce flood risks.
But Nairobi’s drainage system was built decades ago for a much smaller population, and blocked drains contributed to deaths in the earlier floods.
Upgrading drainage and sewerage could cost up to $192 million, but the cash-strapped government and city council may struggle to raise the money.
The scale of this year’s El Niño remains a concern as preparations continue.
Residents of Nairobi’s informal settlements fear for their safety as Kenya’s short rainy season begins and forecasters warn El Niño could bring severe flooding.
Agnes Shikoli, 62, lives beside the Ngong River in Kibera, where her home flooded in March.
Her sister, Beatrice Khalayi, died after floodwaters entered her home and she was electrocuted.
Workers are clearing riverbeds and drains in Nairobi, but the city’s drainage system is not designed for its current population.
Nairobi County’s disaster management chief says upgrading sewerage and drainage could cost up to $192m.
- Who
- Residents of Nairobi’s informal settlements, including Agnes Shikoli, face flood risks.
- What
- Nairobi is preparing for possible El Niño flooding by clearing rivers and drains.
- When
- Kenya’s short rainy season is starting; the article was published on 11 November 2026.
- Where
- Nairobi, Kenya, including the Kibera settlement beside the Ngong River.
- Why
- Forecasters warn El Niño could bring intense rains, while blocked drains and inadequate infrastructure increase flood danger.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Flooding reached halfway up the wall of Agnes Shikoli’s home in Kibera.
Work to clear Nairobi’s rivers intensified as warnings about the possible scale of El Niño increased.
The BBC reported that Kenya’s short rainy season was starting amid warnings of possible El Niño flooding.
- Shikoli’s age
- 62
- Flood death toll
- More than 60 people across Kenya died in floods earlier in the year.
- Drainage system population estimate
- About 2.5 million residents when developed 30 years ago
- Nairobi population estimates
- About 7 million in the daytime and 5.5 million at night
- Estimated upgrade cost
- Up to $192m
What people are saying
I feel like it can kill us. These houses aren't made of stone.
untouched for many years
The existing drainage system was developed 30 years ago to cater for a population of about 2.5 million residents but we're dealing with about 7 million in the daytime and 5.5 million night-time