The Mombasa County Administration has announced a raft of new measures to prepare the region for the anticipated El Niño rains, including a phased recruitment of 3,000 young people under the “Mombasa Yangu” programme, while also imposing new restrictions on construction activity.
Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir says the Meteorological Department has been clear that El Niño rains are expected to begin by the second week of October, with rainfall levels among the highest recorded in the last hundred years.
Nassir noted that the heavy rain experienced recently was not yet the anticipated El Niño rains but the result of atmospheric pressure changes off the Somali coastline, noting that the county used the downpour as a test of its drainage systems.
On construction, the Governor announced that mixing of sand, ballast, and cement at building sites will no longer be permitted in Mombasa, citing the danger of building materials left on roadsides being washed into drains during heavy rain.
Consequently, contractors with existing approvals were given 48 hours to use up materials already on site, after which the county will enforce “zero tolerance” on-site mixing.
The Department of Transport is also expected to brief stakeholders on upcoming restrictions for heavy commercial vehicles as rains intensify, with Nassir warning that digging of wells or pits would be halted once conditions worsen.
The county has also offered its inspectorate personnel to support the Kenya Ferry Services’ security operations at the Likoni crossing, citing concerns about overloading and congestion as commuters rush home during peak hours.
At the same time, hoteliers, beachfront property owners, and Beach Management Units (BMUs) will be notified when conditions make it unsafe to go out to the sea.
On youth recruitment, the Governor confirmed that Mombasa County, following legal advice, will be engaging up to 3,000 young people in a coordinated flood-prevention and environmental response programme across all six sub-counties.
The youth will clear blocked drains, culverts, and waterways, with waste, silt, and debris removed and safely disposed of. Priority will go to known flood hotspots, low-lying areas, markets, and major drainage corridors.
They will receive safety training, protective equipment, tools, and technical supervision and will be deployed in phases rather than all at once due to resource constraints.
Recruitment will be conducted transparently through the Mombasa County Public Service Board, with official notices and eligibility requirements communicated through recognised county channels.
The Governor emphasised that no applicant should pay any fee to anyone for registration or recruitment.
Residents were urged to keep waste out of drains, waterways, and public spaces and to report blocked drains, flooding, or related emergencies through the county’s toll-free hotline, 1599.
“Preparedness is a shared responsibility. By acting early and working together, we can keep Mombasa safe, clean, and resilient throughout the heavy-rainfall period,” Nassir said.
By Joan Kinuthia
