Heavy rains pounding Nairobi on Saturday evening triggered widespread flooding, leaving residents stranded, roads submerged, and public transport paralyzed.
The downpour affected several areas, including Nairobi West, South C, South B, Kilimani, and parts of Uhuru Highway, where drainage systems were overwhelmed.
As part of flood response efforts, Kenya Red Cross first responders rescued 20 people stranded along Kirinyaga Road and moved them to safety.
Teams continue to monitor affected areas and provide support to residents caught in the floods.
“We were trapped in our car for over an hour. The water was rising fast, and we didn’t know where to go,” said one rescued motorist in Nairobi West.
The heavy rainfall also caused severe disruption to transport. In the Central Business District (CBD), streets were flooded, forcing pedestrians to wade through water as they tried to get home.
Many commuters were stranded well past 8 p.m. amid heavy traffic congestion.
“Our matatu has not moved for nearly an hour. The roads are flooded, and traffic is at a standstill,” said a commuter travelling from the CBD to South B.
Flooding has affected numerous neighbourhoods across the capital, including Pipeline, Embakasi (Kware Road), Mukuru (Kwa Njenga, Reuben, Viwandani), Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, South B & South C, Nairobi West, Lang’ata, Umoja 3, Chokaa, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai, Loresho, and parts of Westlands.
Major roads affected include sections of CBD roads, Uhuru Highway, Mbagathi Way, Mombasa Road (South C–JKIA Exit–Kyumbi), Thika Superhighway (Githurai–Kahawa Sukari), Jogoo Road, Lunga Lunga Road, Enterprise Road, and Lang’ata Road near T-Mall.
Residents also reported power outages in Nairobi West, while stormwater channels and nearby rivers overflowed, worsening the situation in the capital and beyond.
Flooding during heavy rains has become a recurring problem in Nairobi. Past floods have claimed lives, displaced thousands, and highlighted the vulnerability of communities.
For emergency assistance, Kenya Red Cross is urging residents to contact their toll-free line at 1199.
“This is a serious situation. We urge residents to stay safe and avoid moving through flooded areas unless necessary,” said a Kenya Red Cross official.
Authorities had not yet issued a full update on the extent of the damage as the rain continued into the night, while residents called on the Nairobi County government to address persistent drainage issues that fuel such flooding.
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