At least ten people have died in Nairobi after heavy overnight rains triggered widespread flooding across several parts of the city, leaving roads submerged, vehicles stranded and hundreds of residents affected.
According to George Seda, the Nairobi County Police Commander, eight of the victims were swept away by fast-moving floodwaters during the downpour that struck the city on Friday night.
Some of the victims reportedly died while inside vehicles that were carried away by the strong currents as water levels rose rapidly in several parts of the capital.
Two other deaths were recorded in separate incidents of electrocution during the floods, highlighting the dangers posed by exposed power lines and flooded areas during heavy rains.
Police also confirmed that at least 71 vehicles were trapped or stranded across the city after several roads became impassable due to the flooding.
Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue operations in some of the worst-affected areas.
Teams from Kenya Red Cross Society were among the first responders deployed overnight to assist residents and motorists caught up in the flooding.
According to the organisation’s Secretary General Ahmed Idris, several residential estates and informal settlements were severely affected as water surged through low-lying areas and river corridors.
Among the hardest-hit neighbourhoods were Pipeline and Embakasi, where sections of Kware Road were completely cut off by floodwaters.
Other affected areas included Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Reuben, Viwandani, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, Baba Dogo and Bosnia.
Flooding was also reported in South B, South C, Nairobi West and Lang’ata, as well as Umoja 3, Chokaa, Njiru, Ruai and Utawala.
In the northern and western parts of the city, residents in Roysambu along Kamiti Road, Kahawa West, Githurai, Loresho and sections of Westlands also reported rising water levels.
Major highways and urban roads were heavily disrupted overnight, causing massive traffic snarl-ups as motorists struggled to navigate flooded sections.
Some of the worst affected transport corridors included roads around the central business district such as Museum Hill, Uhuru Park and Uhuru Highway, as well as Mbagathi Way.
Floodwaters also disrupted traffic along Mombasa Road near South C, Bellevue and the exit to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Emergency response teams, including a military rapid response unit, were deployed to assist with rescue operations and restore traffic flow in affected areas.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that at least 20 people stranded along Kirinyaga Road were rescued and safely evacuated.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains are expected to continue across many parts of the country, increasing the risk of further flooding and transport disruptions.
In response, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced that the government would convene an emergency coordination meeting bringing together key national disaster response agencies.
Authorities say the meeting will focus on strengthening response measures as the country braces for continued rainfall in the coming days.
