Nairobi residents can now undertake certain minor building repairs without paying the usual application and approval processing fees, as the county steps up preparations for the anticipated El Niño rains.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the temporary waiver on Wednesday, September 23, saying it is intended to give homeowners time to prepare their properties before the rains begin.
The waiver covers minor repairs such as installing gutters and making improvements to homes and compounds. According to the county government, the measure will remain in effect until the onset of the anticipated El Niño rains.
Sakaja said the waiver would allow residents to take preventive measures without going through the usual approval process.
“[The waiver] will allow Nairobians to put up gutters and undertake minor repairs to their homes and compounds without the usual approvals,” Sakaja said.
Under the normal process, minor building repair or renovation permits can cost between KSh4,000 and KSh10,000, depending on the nature of the work, according to the report. The temporary waiver therefore reduces the immediate cost for homeowners seeking to make basic preparations ahead of the rainy season.
The announcement comes as Nairobi intensifies measures to reduce the impact of flooding. The county has deployed additional earth-moving machinery to identified hotspots and is widening, deepening and desilting drainage channels and waterways.
The county has also adopted a multi-agency approach involving agencies including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Earlier this week, the county government said it had set aside KSh2.4 billion for flood-mitigation measures, including drainage expansion, river desilting and other interventions in flood-prone areas. Thirteen major flood hotspots have been identified for priority action.
Sakaja has also warned residents against dumping waste in drainage channels and waterways, saying blocked drainage systems could worsen flooding. The governor said private waste collectors found dumping garbage in open spaces risk having their licences permanently withdrawn.
For residents, the waiver provides an opportunity to address some of the common vulnerabilities that can worsen during heavy rainfall, including inadequate roof drainage and blocked pathways around homes.
The county has encouraged residents to prepare early by keeping drainage channels around their properties clear, installing gutters and taking other necessary precautions.
Residents can also report flooding and other emergencies through Nairobi County’s dedicated emergency hotline, 1508.
The measures come as Nairobi prepares for the anticipated heavy rains, with both household-level preparedness and county-wide drainage interventions being pursued to reduce the potential impact of flooding on homes, businesses, roads and other infrastructure.
About the Author
