Construction of flood protection infrastructure including drainage systems, gabions, culverts, embankments, dykes, and associated civil works in Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Kenya, invites qualified, experienced, and reputable construction firms with demonstrated experience to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for participation in the upcoming Invitation to Bid (ITB) for construction of flood protection infrastructure including drainage systems, gabions, culverts, embankments, dykes, and associated civil works in Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality.

Project Background

Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality is located in semi-arid Garissa County, it is highly prone to recurrent flooding driven by the overflowing of seasonal laggas (watercourses) and surface water accumulation in low-lying settlement areas. The April–May 2025 floods were among the most destructive on record, displacing over 20,000 people and damaging critical infrastructure across Ifo settletment, Dagahaley, Dadaab town, and adjacent host community areas.

UN-Habitat is implementing a 12-month flood emergency response project in Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality. The project focuses on the construction of flood protection infrastructure to reduce the exposure of refugee and host community settlements to flood hazards. The flood protection works under the project will be designed on the basis of a flood modelling exercise (hydraulic and hydrological analysis).

The following works will be based on flood risk assessment findings, flood modelling exercises and detailed design process:

1. Road Crossings, Earthworks & Site Support

Enabling infrastructure and cross-cutting works that support access and construction delivery.

• Construction or rehabilitation of culverts and drifts at key road crossing points
• Associated earthworks: site clearance, excavation, grading, and compaction
• Construction supervision infrastructure: site offices, storage, signage, and safety provisions

2. Primary Flood & Drainage Infrastructure

Core water conveyance and flood control systems that manage surface water and lagga overflow at the settlement/catchment scale.

• Construction of primary and secondary drainage channels (side drains, open storm drains, mitre drains, drainage outfalls, stone pitching)
• Construction of flood diversion channels, river training interventions and flood detention basins
• Construction of check dams and retention structures to control flow velocity and sediment transport

3. Bank Stabilisation & Protective Structures

Physical protection works that reinforce channels, banks and settlement edges against erosion and flooding, plus climate-smart integration.

• Installation of gabion structures (wire mesh stone-filled barriers) including gabion boxes and mattresses for bank stabilisation, erosion control and flood diversion.
• Construction of earth embankments and dykes as flood protection berms around vulnerable settlement clusters
• Integration of nature-based solutions (vegetated swales) where feasible

All works will be implemented in accordance with detailed designs and specifications provided in the final statement of work (SOW). The contractor will be required to source materials locally where possible, in compliance with environmental guidelines and UN-Habitat ESSS requirements.

Submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) does not constitute a commitment to submit a bid under the subsequent solicitation.

Specific Requirements/Information IMPORTANT

This is not a request for submission of bids/proposals. Further details of the technical requirements, scope of work, specifictions, evaluation criteria will be provided under the solicitation stage at a later date.

Interested vendors must posses the necessary technical expertise and capacity to provide the required services, as only suitably qualified vendors will be invited to participate.

Vendors expressing interest must be registered with the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) at minimum of Basic Registration Level. Vendors not registered in UNGM will not be eligible to paricipate in the solicitation at a later stage.

Vendors possessing the following attributes are strongly encouraged to participate: (a) Inclusive of persons with disabilities, (b) A demonstrated commitment to achieving gender equality, (c) Woman-owned business status, (d) Originating from developing countries, countries with economies in transition, or least developed countries.