Similar work to unclog drainage systems is ongoing across Nairobi, a sprawling city built on hilly ground crossed by three major rivers.
But the workers have a huge task on their hands.
Blocked drains and inadequate sewage systems were widely blamed for the high number of deaths after the floods earlier in the year, as the excess rainfall had nowhere to escape.
The Nairobi County disaster management chief, Bramwell Simiyu tells the BBC that drainage systems have been “untouched for many years” and that removing the rubbish from them will save lives.
Floods disproportionately affect informal settlements in Nairobi, especially those near rivers, like Kibera and Mathare.
In most of these settlements, houses sit just a few metres from rivers. Some people, including Shikoli, live on the slopes of the river itself due to the constant expansion of the settlements. When flash floods occur, these houses are swept away, endangering the lives of their occupants.
Nairobi’s drainage system hasn’t been upgraded to deal with the rapid growth in the population and infrastructure over the decades
“The existing drainage system was developed 30 years ago to cater for a population of about 2.5 million residents but we’re dealing with about 7 million in the daytime and 5.5 million night-time,” Simiyu says.
He adds that investment of up to $192m (£143m) is needed to upgrade the sewerage and drainage system entirely.
But there is little sign that either the cash-strapped national or city council will able to raise this kind of money.
The Nairobi River Basin Regeneration programme, a government programme aimed at restoring the city’s rivers, found that settlements near rivers, and where there is weak enforcement of regulations, have increased flooding risks. It recommended a “buffer” to protect rivers and “humane relocation” of communities where necessary.
However, rising poverty has driven many people to live close to rivers.
“Our worst case scenario looking at low-income settlements is that up to about 100,000 people are at risk,” Simiyu says. “Moderate projections is about 5,000 households or about 20,000 people may be at risk.”
Anyone forced to leave their homes will be relocated to 167 designated holding grounds where a stockpile of relief food and supplies will be distributed, Simiyu says.
