Nairobi County has suspended levies and approval requirements for repair and maintenance works for a period of one month, allowing residents and businesses affected by recent flooding to restore their properties without the usual county charges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Godfrey Akumali said the decision is intended to help residents quickly repair homes, commercial premises, and other facilities damaged during the heavy rains that recently battered the capital.
According to the county government, the waiver covers levies and approvals normally required before undertaking maintenance or repair work. The measure is expected to remove bureaucratic delays and allow residents to start reconstruction immediately.
“This waiver is issued to expedite the restoration of homes, businesses and public facilities affected by flood damage; safeguard the health, safety and welfare of Nairobi residents by enabling urgent structural interventions and support community resilience and recovery efforts during this period of environmental challenge,” Akumali said.
Residents have been encouraged to use the 30-day window to undertake urgent repairs on buildings and other structures that were damaged by the floods. County officials said technical support and supervision will still be provided to ensure all repair works meet safety standards.
“The waiver shall remain in force for thirty days from the date of issuance, after which normal regulatory requirements will resume,” reads the notice.
The announcement follows severe flooding that struck Nairobi after intense rainfall on the night of March 6 and continued into the early hours of March 7, 2026.
What started as a typical rainy evening quickly turned destructive as heavy downpours overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems and rivers burst their banks, sending floodwaters across several neighbourhoods.
Roads, residential estates, and commercial areas were submerged as water surged through the city. Vehicles were trapped in flooded streets, homes were inundated, and many businesses woke up to find their premises filled with water and mud.
The floods exposed how vulnerable the city remains when extreme weather meets weak urban infrastructure.
Among the worst affected locations was Grogan in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, an important hub for spare parts traders, mechanics, and vehicle repair workshops.
The area plays a critical role in the city’s automotive sector, supplying spare parts and repair services to motorists from across the capital.
Floodwater swept through the workshops, soaking spare parts and burying tools in thick layers of silt. Some vehicles that had been left in garages for repairs were washed away by the rushing water and destroyed.
Motorists also suffered losses after major roads across the city were submerged, leaving many vehicles stuck in deep water. In several cases, drivers were forced to abandon their cars as floodwaters rose rapidly.
Images shared on social media showed vehicles nearly underwater along key routes in the Central Business District and on major roads leading into the city.