Kenya is facing intensified climate risks: heavier rainfall in some zones causing floods/landslides, drought/higher temperatures in others, and knock-on effects in public health, agriculture and infrastructure. At the same time, Kenya is also stepping up its adaptation and resilience efforts with early-warning systems, large climate-finance commitments, and green-growth initiatives.
For Kenya (and similar countries), climate change is not a distant future—it’s already interacting with everyday risks (disease, flooding, crop failure, water scarcity). The key will be how effectively adaptation/mitigation efforts keep pace with the accelerating changes.
Nairobi residents have increasingly voiced frustration with the city’s governor, accusing the county government of poor drainage management and failure to control the frequent flooding that occurs whenever heavy rains hit. Videos and photos of submerged roads, stranded vehicles, and flooded markets have flooded social media, with many blaming city officials for negligence and lack of long-term infrastructure planning.
Environmental experts and civic groups point out that citizens themselves contribute heavily to the crisis through poor waste-disposal habits. Plastics, bottles, and garbage dumped carelessly in drainages block water flow, turning even light showers into flash floods. Informal settlements and street vendors often lack proper waste-collection systems, so trash ends up in open drains and rivers.
While the governor faces criticism for slow infrastructure upgrades and inadequate disaster preparedness, the situation highlights a shared responsibility between leaders and citizens. Sustainable solutions will require joint efforts — better waste management, urban planning, public awareness, and consistent government maintenance — to prevent Nairobi from drowning each rainy season.