Kibera, one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements, has long struggled with flooding. Every year, during the long rains in March, April, and May, the slum experiences severe floods, leading to significant losses of property, evictions, and even deaths. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 228 deaths due to floods, with Kibera being one of the hardest-hit areas.
The Flooding Problem in Kibera
Kibera is located near both the Nairobi River and the Ngong River, which makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding. The population of Kibera ranges from 600,000 to over 1 million people, according to UN-HABITAT. Many of these residents live close to the rivers in poorly constructed homes without proper drainage or flood management systems. In fact, 22,000 Kiberans live within 30 meters of the Ngong River. This lack of infrastructure and government oversight has made Kibera’s floods worse each year.
Community and NGO Efforts to Mitigate Floods
Despite these hardships, community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stepped up to support Kibera residents. One such organization is the Kounkey Design Initiative (KDI). Since 2015, KDI has been working with local residents to develop a flood-risk reduction toolkit that empowers the community to manage the riverside environment. However, the lack of land for infrastructure projects remains a challenge. As KDI’s director said, “There is almost no available land. If it’s not built upon, it can’t be.”
Image: HANDOUT
More recently, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has been instrumental in helping residents recover from floods. In collaboration with over 40 CBOs, SHOFCO distributed food, shelter, and other resources to those displaced by the floods in Kibera, as well as in other informal settlements such as Korogocho and Mathare. Organizations such as Chandaria Foundation and Global Peace have also contributed to these relief efforts.
Government Initiatives: Slow but Promising
Though community efforts have been vital, the Kenyan government has also promised to improve conditions in Kibera. One key initiative is the Kibera Affordable Housing Project, which is set for completion by January 2026. This project aims to relocate residents from flood-prone areas into safer, affordable housing.
Recently, President William Ruto promised to transform Kibera into a real estate hub, pledging to bring more attention and resources to the area. However, there are still doubts about the long-term impact of these government promises. Past attempts to address Kibera’s infrastructure problems have often fallen short, due to poor planning and lack of coordination.
Challenges Ahead for Kibera
Despite the ongoing support from NGOs and the government, many challenges remain. Kibera’s location and density make flood management difficult. Additionally, continued environmental degradation along the rivers worsens the situation, with silt buildup, litter, and unregulated waste disposal contributing to river overflows during heavy rains.
The people of Kibera remain resilient, finding ways to rebuild after each flood. As more organizations like KDI and SHOFCO work on long-term flood mitigation solutions, and with government projects in the pipeline, there is hope that Kibera’s flooding problem will eventually be addressed.
Conclusion
The flooding crisis in Kibera has claimed many lives and destroyed homes, but local efforts and government initiatives offer a glimmer of hope. While the road to solving this issue is long, continued collaboration between the government, NGOs, and community organizations is key to achieving lasting change. As Kibera moves forward, it will need more sustainable urban planning and flood-proof infrastructure to protect its residents from future floods.
References
- Buro Happold. (n.d.). Kibera Toolkit for Flood Risk Reduction.
- Plumer, B. (2016, January 17). Designing for floods: The challenge of adapting to a changing climate.
- Kounkuey Design Initiative. (n.d.). Building urban flood resilience in informal settlements.
- Heavy rains claim one child in Mashimoni area in Kibera.
- Citizen Digital. (2020, December 7). SHOFCO leads food distribution in Nairobi slums hit by floods.
- Africa News. (2024, May 6). Kenya: Death toll from floods passes 200.
Nebai Kimani 