User blocked after repeated policy violations

Mukuru, the sprawling informal settlement on Nairobi’s southern edge, is grappling with chronic flooding that is taking a toll on residents’ physical health and mental wellbeing.

From government bulldozers to community‑built berms

Years ago Kenyan authorities bulldozed tens of thousands of riverside homes and cleared a buffer to stop drownings. While the move saved lives, it did not address the underlying drainage problems that trap water and sewage in the low‑lying sections of Mukuru.

Local elder Francis Mukiri Muthoni, known as “Future,” explains that residents invited builders to dump rubble along the riverbank as a barrier. The resulting berm blocks runoff, forcing water to pool in villages below.

Streets that were paved and widened during COVID‑19 lockdowns now feature drainage channels, but many houses still rely on a “simplified sewer system” of bendy pipes that struggle to cope with the jumbled settlement layout. As a result, the “lowlands” of Mukuru remain swamped with rivulets of human waste, and residents move across makeshift walkways of rocks and pallet wood to reach their homes.

Health impacts beyond the floodwaters

Physical consequences include heightened risk of water‑borne diseases, as stagnant water and sewage create breeding grounds for pathogens.

Psychological effects emerge as a prominent concern in conversations with locals. Residents such as John Mangi describe feeling “like giving up” during repeated floods, while Susan Kambura recounts the routine of sweeping feces, waiting for water to recede, then cleaning with soap.

Future notes that the mental‑health burden is compounded by other stresses, including high rates of gender‑based violence and frequent fires, but he believes the settlement’s water‑flow patterns are a primary driver of trauma.

Everyday reality of living with flood‑prone drainage

Residents also contend with the Red Cross’s SMS storm‑warning system, which reaches some households but not all, especially those without reliable phone access. “Not everyone has a phone, and even if they do, few are willing to abandon their homes and possessions,” Mangi says.

Children are especially vulnerable. Faith Atieno notes that children cannot be kept away from contaminated ponds, leading to frequent illness. The combination of water‑borne disease risk and the constant threat of property loss creates a pervasive atmosphere of anxiety.

Efforts to improve drainage are underway in nearby settlements. In Manyatta, new drains are being constructed, though maintenance often depends on private agreements that can lead to intentional blockages. Residents sometimes block drains to protect their own property, inadvertently causing floods for neighbors.

Overall, the situation in Mukuru illustrates how inadequate infrastructure, coupled with rapid urban growth, can magnify both physical and mental health challenges for some of Kenya’s most vulnerable citizens.