Urgent Appeal: Recent Heavy Rainfall Wreaks Havoc in Nairobi
The night rain sounded like stones on iron roofs. By morning, riverine communities were counting losses—mud where floors should be, furniture gone, paths turned into streams. In some places, rubbish that should never have been in a river arrived at people’s doorsteps as if the city had chosen their house as a dumping ground.
Along the Ngong River corridors, we thank God that no lives were lost in the incident ETCO was closest to—but the damage was real. Floodwater pushed solid waste into homes, not because families are careless, but because waste upstream becomes someone else’s emergency downstream. Unplanned dumping onto roads and pathways has also made movement dangerous, and open ditches filled with rainwater have become hazards nobody can ignore.
A city-wide warning
Dr Pamela Olet, Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, has urged vigilance as heavy rains continue to threaten communities along the Nairobi River. Her plea is practical: stay informed, avoid flooded zones, prepare to move if you must, and look out for neighbours who cannot move fast.
Elsewhere in Nairobi, the same rains have taken lives—including a police officer in Kamukunji who died trying to rescue a trapped family; at the time of reporting, recovery efforts were still ongoing. That grief sits beside every appeal for urgent intervention; it is why drainage, waste, and river health are not abstract policy topics for people who live next to water.
If you can help—technical skills, funding, or organised clean-ups—reach out. Prevention is not a poster; it is sacks, systems, and people choosing not to look away while the sky is still clear.
From Participation to Agency: ETCO at the SAIIA Youth Programming Innovation Lab
Last week, ETCO represented Kibra at the SAIIA Youth Programming Innovation Lab in Nairobi — where the real question wasn't youth participation, but youth agency. Here's what that means for our nine programmes, and an honest look at what it takes to build sustainably as a volunteer-run organisation.
Creating Impact, Building a Better Tomorrow
At ETCO, we're committed to creating lasting positive impact by keeping our environment safe and clean while creating meaningful employment opportunities for our communities. Through innovation and strategic partnerships with like-minded stakeholders, we're working together to achieve shared goals that drive sustainable development. We're also conducting a comprehensive economic survey to better understand the project's returns, impact, and scalability—ensuring every step we take is informed, effective, and built for long-term success.
Planning Meeting with PSN - Waste Management Project
Today's ETCO had logistical planning meeting at PSN Office to discuss the upcoming waste management project... Good things take time.