Mosiria: We’ll demolish illegal buildings causing Nairobi floods
By William Muthama, October 4, 2025Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has issued a warning to property owners, contractors, and garbage collectors whose actions have been blamed for worsening flooding across the capital.
In a video shared on X on Saturday, October 3, 2025, Mosiria said the county government will begin demolishing all illegal structures built on drainage systems, riverbanks, and road reserves.
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He said such developments have blocked the natural flow of stormwater, resulting in severe flooding that has affected homes, businesses, and key transport corridors.
“If you have an illegal structure on top of a drainage system, start removing it because we are going to demolish it,” Mosiria warned. “We will arrest and prosecute anyone causing public disturbance or blocking drainage lines.”
The environment chief also defended Governor Johnson Sakaja, saying some Nairobi residents were quick to criticise the county government online while contributing to the same problems they complain about.
“Watu wanatoka na takataka kwa nyumba yao wanarusha kando ya barabara. Wengine wakipita kwa gari wanarusha nje. Ikijaa hapo kwa drainage, maji inakosa mahali pa kupita na inarudi kwa barabara,” Mosiria said.
Mosiria further warned contractors working under KeNHA and KURA that their casual workers would also face disciplinary action for leaving heaps of waste along road corridors instead of properly disposing of them.
“Hao contractors wa KeNHA na KURA pia tutawachukulia hatua. Casuals wao wakitoa uchafu wanaacha gunia kando ya barabara. Wao ndio wako responsible kusafisha main corridors,” he stated.
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He also cautioned private garbage collection firms and community-based organisations (CBOs) against dumping waste on roadsides, saying their licences will be revoked and they will be blacklisted from future operations within Nairobi County.
Mosiria urged residents living near rivers to relocate at least 30 metres from riparian zones, warning that encroachment increases the risk of flooding and property destruction.
“Whatever it takes to fix the mess in Nairobi, we must do it. We need collective responsibility to restore our city,” he said.
The remarks come after heavy rains pounded Nairobi, leaving several parts of the city waterlogged and disrupting traffic.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that the downpour will intensify and continue through Sunday, urging residents in flood-prone areas to stay cautious.