Tragic as 10 die in Nairobi floods, rescue operations underway

Ten people have been confirmed dead in Nairobi after devastating floods swept through large parts of the city on Friday following heavy rainfall that left roads submerged and neighbourhoods underwater.

Nairobi Police Commander George Seda said eight of the victims were swept away by fast-rising floodwaters, as two died while inside vehicles that were carried away by powerful currents along flooded roads.

Seda also confirmed that two other victims died in separate electrocution incidents during the floods in different parts of the county.

Authorities warned that the number of fatalities could rise as search and rescue operations continue in several severely affected areas.

According to the county police boss, at least 71 vehicles were trapped across the city after floodwaters rendered major roads impassable. Emergency teams worked through the night to assist motorists and residents caught in dangerous conditions.

“Residents across Nairobi woke up on Saturday morning to flooded neighbourhoods, stranded motorists and widespread disruption after the heavy downpour left many areas submerged.” Seda noted

Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, said several residential estates and informal settlements were heavily affected as floodwaters surged through low-lying areas and along river corridors.

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Among the hardest-hit areas were Pipeline and Embakasi, where sections of Kware Road were completely cut off by rising waters.

Other affected neighbourhoods 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 northern and western parts of the city, Roysambu along Kamiti Road, Kahawa West, Githurai, Loresho and sections of Westlands also experienced rising water levels.

Major highways and urban roads faced heavy disruption, with some rendered impassable throughout the night.

The Kenya Red Cross Society reported that traffic snarl-ups stretched into the early hours of Saturday morning as motorists struggled to navigate flooded sections.

The most affected transport corridors included roads within the central business district and surrounding routes 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, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport exit and Kyumbi junction.

Emergency response teams, including the military, were deployed overnight to rescue stranded residents and restore movement in affected areas.

The Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that its first responders rescued at least 20 people who had been stranded along Kirinyaga Road after floodwaters overwhelmed sections of the area.

Rescue operations continue as authorities monitor the situation and assist affected communities.

By Our reporter