Nairobi takes steps towards an integrated flash flood early warning system
When intense rainfall hits Nairobi, flooding can happen rapidly, leaving communities, businesses and authorities with little time to respond. Kenya and the Netherlands are now exploring an integrated flash flood early warning system (FFEWS) that could help the city anticipate flood risks and take action sooner.
Flooding is a significant and recurring challenge in Kenya causing disruption, damage to infrastructure, displacement and substantial social and economic losses. Recent periods of heavy rainfall and floods have displaced more than 110,000 people across Kenya, while annual flood damage is estimated to exceed USD 500 million.
Against this backdrop, improved flash flood forecasting – and acting on warnings – has become increasingly important.
From forecasting to action
Building on cooperation with Kenya’s State Department for Water and Sanitation, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya is supporting a scoping study for a proposed Nairobi flash flood early warning system. The study is being undertaken by two Dutch firms: Haskoning, the engineering and consultancy firm, and the Rebel consultancy firm. The aim goes beyond forecasting where and when flooding might occur. The proposed integrated system should enable authorities, emergency services, businesses and communities to receive information in time to take effective action, helping to reduce loss of life as well as economic and environmental impacts.
Bringing Nairobi’s key players together
From 6 to 9 July 2026, a delegation from Haskoning and Rebel visited Nairobi for a project scoping mission hosted by the Dutch Embassy. A core part of the mission was to listen to those already involved in managing Nairobi’s water and flood risks. Consultations explored existing technical and institutional capacities, identified gaps and priorities, and considered what would be needed to strengthen flood preparedness, early warning and response across the city.
The mission brought together a broad group of Kenyan stakeholders. These included the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Nairobi City County Government, Water Resources Authority (WRA), Kenya Meteorological Department and the National Environment Trust Fund (NETFUND). Private sector perspectives were also part of the discussions, including through consultations with representatives of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). This multi-agency approach is particularly important for effective early warning. Forecasting a flood is only the first step: information also needs to reach the right organisations and communities quickly enough for them to respond.
Building on existing capabilities
Kenya is not starting from scratch. The Kenya Meteorological Department already provides weather forecasts, advisories and flood information to help communities and authorities prepare. The new initiative aims to build on this foundation and strengthen Nairobi’s ability to anticipate and respond to flash floods. During the scoping mission, Haskoning and Rebel assessed existing capacities and explored where stronger connections could be made between data, forecasting, institutions, communication and response. The discussions also looked at sustainable financing and potential implementation models, recognising that an effective warning system needs to remain operational over the longer term.
Laying the groundwork for implementation
The initiative is currently at the scoping stage. Rather than introducing a new warning system immediately, the partners are first assessing what Nairobi needs from a technical, institutional and operational perspective. The outcomes of the consultations will feed into the scoping study and create a basis for subsequent feasibility studies. They are also expected to support the mobilisation of the finances and investment required to move towards implementation.
For Nairobi, the potential value is clear. Better information, delivered earlier and connected to effective response mechanisms, can give people and organisations more time to prepare. As the city continues to grow and recurrent flooding puts pressure on its communities, infrastructure and economy, turning flood forecasts into timely action could make a tangible difference.
