New Bill seeks to change approach of handling disaster in Nairobi
Nairobi
By
Pkemoi Ng'enoh
| Apr 30, 2026
A new Bill before Nairobi County Assembly is set to transform handling of disasters in the city, including fires, floods, and other calamities.
Dubbed Disaster and Emergency Management Policy, the Bill outlines how the county aims to deal with disasters that have long caught the county flat-footed.
This comes as the Johnson Sakaja administration has been put in the spotlight over its preparedness and response to disasters, following the recent floods that killed over 30 people in one night.
The document details a structured chain of command linking the national government, county leadership, and grassroots community units, all working within a single coordinated framework.
It is anchored in three phases: establishment of a dedicated Disaster Management Fund, enhancing emergency response capacity and establishment of a Fire and Disaster Management Academy to train personnel and build professional expertise.
READ MORE
Germany firm BioNTech to cut up to 1,860 jobs as Covid jab sales drop
Ruto allocates more funds to sectors likely to win him votes in 2027
Revealed: Consumption outpacing recycling of waste
Packaged Githeri? The rise of ready-to-eat meals
Firm bets on financial inclusion to unlock boda boda sector growth
Leave Nganyas alone: They define Kenyan culture and creativity
Absa unveils Sh100bn asset finance plan
Kenya targets Sh230bn from indigenous knowledge assets
Young innovators secure backing to scale, attract investors
Africa's $29.5 trillion mineral wealth: The unsent invoice the world owes
“There is need to establish local disaster response teams, introducing early warning systems, developing evacuation plans and safe zones, and conducting hazard mapping in high-risk areas,” the Bill reads in part
If adopted, it will allow the creation of the Disaster and Emergency Management Information System (DEMIS), a digital platform designed to collect, analyze, and share real-time data during emergencies, improving coordination and decision-making.
Recently, Governor Sakaja admitted that the expansion of the city was exposing key structures and even people to risks.
“This policy gives us the structure, financing, and partnerships needed to respond effectively and protect our residents, especially the most vulnerable,” he stated.
Nairobi faces growing threats from floods and fires, with the majority of residents living in high-risk areas without proper roads, reliable water access, or adequate emergency services.
Disaster management and coordination Chief Officer Bramwel Simiyu says the policy opens the door to partnerships with the private sector, humanitarian organizations, development partners, and local communities.
“This policy represents a vision I have long championed, building a strong, coordinated disaster management system that protects not just Nairobi, but sets a standard for the entire country,” Simiyu explains.
If adopted, the policy will guide Nairobi’s disaster management efforts for the next decade, with reviews scheduled every ten years or earlier if major events or emerging risks demand adjustments.
“We want a city where disasters no longer catch us unprepared where every response is faster, smarter, and more coordinated, and where every Nairobian feels safer,”Simiyu stated.