'It can kill us': Kenyans fear impact of El Niño with floods predicted
Summary
Residents of Nairobi’s Kibera settlement fear more deadly flooding as Kenya enters its short rainy season and forecasters warn of a potentially strong El Niño. The government is clearing rubbish from rivers and drains, but officials say Nairobi’s drainage system is outdated and needs major investment.Key Facts
- Agnes Shikoli, 62, lives close to the Ngong River in Kibera and says floods reached halfway up her home’s wall in March.
- Shikoli’s sister died of electrocution after her home flooded during the earlier rains.
- More than 60 people across Kenya died in flooding earlier this year.
- Kenya’s short rainy season has begun, amid warnings that El Niño could bring intense rain and flooding.
- A government programme called Climate Worx is clearing rubbish from Nairobi’s rivers, while workers also unclog drains across the city.
- Nairobi County disaster management chief Bramwell Simiyu says the drainage system has gone years without maintenance and was designed for a much smaller population.
- Simiyu says fully upgrading Nairobi’s sewerage and drainage system could cost up to $192 million.
- Informal settlements near rivers face particular flood risks because homes are close to the water and can be swept away by flash floods.
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