Residents of Nairobi have expressed outrage after heavy rains triggered massive flooding that brought business and daily activities to a standstill in the city’s Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding areas.
The heavy downpour, which pounded the capital on the evening of Friday, February 6, caused severe flooding across several streets in the CBD and neighbouring estates.
Roads quickly turned into rivers, forcing motorists and pedestrians to seek safety as water levels rose rapidly.
The situation left countless people stranded for hours, with some motorists abandoning their vehicles as floodwaters engulfed major roads.
Motorists and Commuters Stranded
Public transport was also disrupted, leaving commuters with limited options as the rains continued to pound the city late into the night.
Many residents reported that the floods rendered several families homeless after water swept through houses in low-lying areas.
Businesses in parts of the CBD were also forced to shut down early as the floods caused extensive damage to property and merchandise.
Motorists and commuters were stranded for the better part of Friday night, with some expressing fear for their lives as vehicles became stuck in flooded roads.
Videos and photos shared online showed cars partially submerged in water while pedestrians waded through knee-deep floods trying to reach safety.
Blame on Governor Johnson Sakaja
As the crisis unfolded, Kenyans took to social media to condemn Johnson Sakaja and his administration for failing to address the capital’s long-standing drainage and sewerage problems.
Critics accused the county government of neglecting infrastructure despite repeated flooding incidents in the city during heavy rains.
Among those who raised the alarm was former Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, who posted an urgent call for help as floodwaters trapped motorists near Kamukunji.
“WE URGENTLY NEED ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY TEAMS TO URGENTLY JOIN OUR COUNTY TEAM AT RIVERSIDE NEAR KAMUKUNJI POLICE STATION. PEOPLE ARE STUCK IN VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING SUBMERGED BY FLOODWATERS.”
The alarming message highlighted the dangerous conditions motorists were facing as rescue efforts struggled to keep up with the rapidly rising waters.
Popular radio host Mbaruk Mwalimu also weighed in on the situation with a brief but sharp critique of the county government’s response.
“Haiwork”
Kenyans React
His comment quickly gained traction online as Kenyans echoed similar frustrations about the state of the city’s drainage system.
Several other social media users criticised the county leadership, saying the flooding was a recurring problem that authorities had failed to fix despite years of complaints.
One user wrote:
“Every time it rains heavily, CBD becomes a swimming pool. What exactly is the county government doing with the taxes we pay?”
Another Kenyan lamented the lack of proper planning in the capital, stating:
“This city deserves better infrastructure. Floods in the CBD should not be normal in 2027.”
Others pointed to clogged drainage systems and poor urban planning as the key reasons behind the flooding.
“Most of the drains are blocked with garbage. Without proper sewerage and drainage, this will keep happening.”
Poor Nairobi Drainage System
The floods once again exposed the vulnerability of Kenyan capital’s infrastructure whenever the city experiences heavy rainfall.
For years, experts have warned that the capital’s drainage systems are overwhelmed due to rapid urbanisation, illegal constructions along waterways, and poor waste management.
As criticism continues to mount online, many residents are now calling on the county government to urgently invest in modern drainage systems and implement long-term solutions to prevent similar disasters in the future.
For many Nairobians, Friday night’s floods served as yet another painful reminder of how fragile the city’s infrastructure remains whenever heavy rains hit the capital.
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