Political strategist Pauline Njoroge has defended Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino after his proposal to deepen and expand Nairobi’s rivers sparked criticism online.
The debate comes days after heavy rains caused severe flooding across parts of Nairobi, leaving several people dead and property destroyed.
In a statement shared on social media, Njoroge accused what she described as “regime bloggers” of attacking the MP’s proposal instead of engaging with the idea.
She argued that Owino’s suggestion was a practical approach to addressing the city’s persistent flooding problem.
Babu Owino had earlier suggested that the Ngong, Mathare, and Nairobi rivers should be deepened and expanded to allow floodwaters to flow more efficiently during heavy rains.
“Curing the issues of floods in Nairobi is very simple. Ngong, Mathare and Nairobi Rivers should be deepened and expanded so that flood water is directed without overflow,” the legislator said.
However, the proposal quickly drew mixed reactions, with some critics dismissing it and comparing the suggestion to past controversial statements by former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Responding to the criticism, Njoroge said such comparisons showed a lack of understanding of urban planning and flood management.
According to her, dismissing the idea outright reflects an unwillingness to discuss practical solutions to Nairobi’s drainage challenges.
She also criticized those who argue that flooding is inevitable because heavy rains occur in many cities around the world.
“They are all repeating the same line that it rains everywhere and floods cannot be stopped. According to them, we should simply sit back, do nothing and wait for floods to carry us away,” Njoroge said.
The political strategist cited examples from global cities that have invested in engineering projects to manage rivers and control flooding.
She referenced the restoration and expansion of the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, which she said transformed the area into a modern urban waterway capable of handling stormwater flows.
Njoroge also pointed to flood control measures implemented along London’s River Thames and engineering works carried out on the Chicago River to improve drainage and protect urban areas from flooding.
According to her, such projects demonstrate that managing rivers through dredging, expansion, and proper planning is standard practice in many major cities.
She added that Nairobi’s flooding challenges are largely driven by poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems, and encroachment on river corridors rather than rainfall alone.
“Nairobi has three major rivers running through its heart. With proper dredging, expansion of river channels, restoration of riparian land and modern drainage systems, these waterways can carry stormwater safely instead of turning neighbourhoods into disaster zones,” she said.
The debate over Owino’s proposal comes as Nairobi authorities face growing pressure to find long-term solutions to recurring floods that continue to disrupt livelihoods and threaten lives in the capital.