MP Mbui: Govt must act on poor drainage to curb flood disasters
By Emmanuel Rono, March 16, 2026Kathiani Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui has criticized Kenya’s disaster preparedness, urging the government and the people to stop complaining and start putting in place permanent solutions to the flooding that happens every rainy season and paralyzes the country.
Speaking during a morning talk show at a local station on Monday, March 16, 2026, Mbui expressed frustration over the repetitive nature of the crisis in the country.
He noted that the country currently grapples with excessive water and loss of life, but it will likely face a drought in the coming months.
“We need to style up because every time there is rain, we are complaining about floods and the devastation that is caused by excessive water. A month or two later, we will be complaining that we don’t have enough food, there is a drought, and we don’t have water for drinking,” Mbui said.
Use rainy season wisely
He urged the ministries to use the rainy seasons wisely and solve the problem that has crippled the nation.
The lawmaker says that many parts of the city don’t have good drainage systems, which makes communities vulnerable when it rains heavily. He said this often leads to flooded roads, damaged property, and interruptions to daily life.
Mbui urged the government to make sure that construction rules are strictly followed. He said that poorly planned developments and blocked drainage channels have made flooding worse in cities.
“Government officials who should make sure that construction is done in the right places… would be very quick to collect money at the expense of possible disasters like what we are seeing,” he said.
He said that the complaints will not help the country solve the situation, insisting that the drainage issue has been a problem in the city for a long time.
Mbui asked the national government, county governments, and the ministries in charge of water and irrigation to work together as a team and fix the drainage problem for good.
“Someone needs to bite the bullet and make sure they sort this out once and for all. The complaints will not help us,” he concluded.
Ruto’s message to flood victims
President William Ruto has assured Kenyans affected by the ongoing floods that the government will continue to provide support as heavy rains wreak havoc across the country.
In a statement shared on his social media pages on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the president acknowledged the impact of the severe weather:
“The ongoing heavy rains affecting several parts of our country continue to put lives and livelihoods at risk. My thoughts are with the families and communities that have already been affected during this difficult period,” Ruto’s statement read in part.
The Kenya Red Cross has reported that 11 people were rescued across different areas on Saturday night, March 14, 2026, after being caught in the floods. The death toll as a result of the ongoing floods has now surpassed 60.