Deliberative conversation · Open now · October 2026
Solutions to flooding in Nairobi
“To stop Nairobi’s recurrent flooding, what priority step or rule should be implemented first?” Lives, homes and businesses are lost almost every rainy season. We want to hear from young people.
StatusOpen now
Taking partAnonymous
Where this conversation came from
The zKe Nairobi Dialogues
In October 2026, zKe brought Nairobi residents together for the zKe Nairobi Dialogues, a community deliberation on the issues affecting their neighbourhoods that they want prioritised. zKe analysed what was said using Talk to the City, which picked out 94 points across six topics.
Points raised in the zKe Nairobi Dialogues, by topic
Source: Talk to the City report, zKe Nairobi Dialogues, October 2026.
MCAs putting personal interests and political loyalty ahead of community needs; calls for more community involvement and better feedback from leaders.
Hard-to-reach healthcare, too few staff, shortages of medicine, poor water quality, and gaps in mental health support for young people.
Roads in poor condition or built with substandard materials, and drainage that cannot cope with heavy rain.
Short-term job schemes that do not last, and the need for vocational training and support for young mothers.
Crime prevention, street lighting, gender-based violence and support for persons with disabilities.
Poor waste collection, and rubbish blocking drains.
In their own words
“The drains are blocked”
Flooding cuts across several of these topics. Residents described blocked drains, buildings that leave no room for drainage channels, roads that break up after heavy rain and rubbish that clogs the system. Some had already proposed fixes that were never acted on.
“Hatuko prepared kwa njia yoyote… Mitaro zimeblock.”
Participant, zKe Nairobi Dialogues. In English: We are not prepared in any way… The drains are blocked.
“Tuko na challenge sana ya drainage […] hiyo maji iko na uwezo wa kusababisha maafa.”
Participant, zKe Nairobi Dialogues. In English: We have a serious drainage problem… that water could cause a disaster.
“Tuliona kama kuna possibility ya barabara ipasuliwe kuwekwe box culvert… inaweza collect hiyo maji yote.”
Participant, zKe Nairobi Dialogues. In English: We saw that the road could be opened up to put in a box culvert… it could collect all that water.
Some of the ideas on the table
What should be done first?
Some statements were written by the zKe team to start the conversation; others were added by young people who have joined.
Clear the drains
Drains should be cleared and maintained every year before the rains start.
Warn people early
Flood warnings should reach residents by SMS and WhatsApp in languages they understand.
Check before building
No building permit should be approved without a drainage and flood risk assessment.
Resettle fairly
People removed from riparian land should be compensated and resettled first.
Hire young people
“Gava should repair drainage at night and hire youth to do this and pay them well. Vijana wako ready” (Government should repair drainage at night and hire youth to do it and pay them well. The youth are ready.)
Clean the river
“Kwanza Nairobi River isafishwe … otherwise kila time kukinyesha Nai itaflood” (First, clean the Nairobi River, otherwise every time it rains Nairobi will flood.)
How to take part
Read each statement and choose agree, disagree or pass. You can also add your own statement. Taking part is anonymous. We will publish the results on this page when the conversation closes.
Do you agree? Do you have a better idea?
Respond to the ideas on the table, or add your own.
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