looding is a major hazard affecting urban centres worldwide, including the city of Nairobi. This phenomenon is associated with loss of lives, destruction of property and disruption of the normal day to day activities. This study sought to identify the causes of these floods, focussing on the South C area of Nairobi which is prone to flooding. The study further sought to investigate the impact of flooding in the study area and examine the policy and legal strategies put in place to manage the menace of flooding in Nairobi County. Finally, the study proposed possible solutions to the flooding in the study area.
In regard to finding out the causes of flooding, data from the meteorological department was analysed, maps of the existing drainage in the area were studied, questionnaires were issued to the residents of the area and past reports on the subject were studied. The major causes of the flooding in the area were found to be poor maintenance of the drainage systems, small capacity of the drainage system, vast areas of impervious surface and climate change. The area was also found to be located on a flood plain with the adjacent areas seated on higher altitudes.
From this study it was noted that the major impact of flooding in the study area was disruption of the daily activities and discomfort of the residents. The residents found it difficult to access their work places and to take their children to school. Overflow of the storm runoff into the households caused discomfort and destruction of the household property.
This study also ascertained that there are various legal, policy and institutional arrangement that have been put in place in order to combat the dangers posed by natural hazards in Kenya, However, the study determined that there are no specific policies or legal recommendations that have been formulated by the government towards mitigation of flooding hazards in urban centres.
From this study, it was established that there is need for the relevant authorities to ensure that drainage infrastructure is regularly maintained. In addition to this, the drainage capacity of the channels should be increased so as to accommodate the runoff during storm events. This study also recommended that the residents in the area be sensitized to take part in cleanliness and maintenance of the drainage channels and their environment as a whole. Finally, the government should undertake to construct a dam or rehabilitate the existing Nairobi Dam so as to direct the storm waters into the dam for storage.