NAKURU CITY — Timothy Maina, a consultant planner in Nakuru city, has attributed the frequent flooding in Kenyan urban areas to a combination of natural and human factors, including poor urban planning and environmental degradation. He emphasized that many cities and towns lack adequate drainage systems, crucial for managing excess stormwater, especially during heavy rains.

According to Kenya News Agency, In an interview with KNA in Nakuru, Maina observed that rapid urbanization often results in the replacement of natural, permeable surfaces with impermeable materials like concrete and asphalt. This urban development reduces the land’s ability to absorb rainfall, consequently increasing surface runoff and the risk of flooding. He also highlighted that deforestation and other forms of environmental degradation diminish the land’s natural capacity to absorb and retain water.

Maina noted that without sufficient vegetation to act as a buffer, rainwater runoff intensifies, contributing to the flooding problem. He pointed out that informal settlements, prevalent in urban areas, usually lack proper drainage systems, making them particularly vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains, such as those caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

According to Kenya News Agency, changes in climate patterns, including increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, exacerbate the situation. Additionally, improper disposal of solid waste, such as plastics and other debris, often blocks drainage channels, leading to water accumulation in urban regions.

Addressing these issues, Maina argued, requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. This approach should encompass urban planning, infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and community engagement. These steps are crucial for mitigating the risk of flooding in urban areas.

Maina’s comments come in the wake of a recent tour by the Nakuru City management team to assess the destruction caused by heavy rains, specifically focusing on the construction of the Kinuthia Mbugua stormwater drainage system. This project represents part of the city’s efforts to address the challenges of urban flooding.