NAIROBI, Kenya- At least 25 people have been killed and property of unknown value destroyed after flash floods swept through several parts of Kenya following heavy overnight rainfall.
According to a government statement released on March 7, Nairobi recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 23 bodies retrieved from rivers in Starehe and Kamukunji sub-counties, while other victims were swept away by raging floodwaters in Kibra Sub-county.
The government said it has activated multi-agency emergency response mechanisms after intense rainfall that began on March 4 and intensified between March 6 and 7 triggered widespread flooding across multiple counties.
Preliminary assessments show that Kiambu County, Kajiado County, Makueni County, Nakuru County, Murang’a County, Bungoma County, Kwale County, Kirinyaga County, Migori County, and Tharaka Nithi County have also experienced varying levels of flooding, causing damage to homes, farms, businesses and public infrastructure.
Search and rescue operations remain underway in Nairobi, where emergency teams have been deployed to retrieve victims and search for missing persons. Authorities confirmed that two people are still missing in Kibra.
Across affected areas, more than 800 households have been displaced, while over 700 homes and structures have been damaged, particularly in informal settlements and low-lying urban areas.
Security and disaster response teams including the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Government Administration Officers, county governments, engineers, the Kenya Red Cross, and Kenya Power have been mobilised to coordinate evacuations, rescue operations and restoration of essential services.
The heavy rains also caused severe flooding across major roads in Nairobi, including Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, Lang’ata Road, Mpaka Road in Parklands and sections of Kangundo Road, leading to significant traffic disruptions.
Several residential areas including Viwandani, Mukuru kwa Reuben, Kibra, Kawangware, South B, Eastleigh, Dandora, Kariobangi, Umoja, Kware, Parklands and Westlands also reported flooding, forcing emergency teams to assist residents to move to safer locations.
Authorities noted that many of the affected settlements are located along riparian corridors of the Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers, which remain highly vulnerable during periods of heavy rainfall.
The government said the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme, currently about 30 percent complete, aims to restore river channels, improve drainage systems and reclaim riparian reserves to reduce flooding risks.
Residents living along riverbanks have been urged to voluntarily evacuate to safer ground as heavy rains continue.
Elsewhere, flooding has rendered several roads and bridges impassable. In Makueni County, the Wote–Emali Road was cut off near Isambani while Kyamelu Bridge overflowed following heavy rains.
Authorities also reported flooding at Barazani Market and nearby homes in Mutiswa and Mbitini areas, while strong winds damaged structures including Masalani Catholic Church and nearby houses in Kibwezi.
In Kajiado County, floods affected 21 households in the Zambia and Elpaso areas of Ngong after water submerged vehicles and household goods. No casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, in Nakuru County, flash floods swept through Fibers and Shamer Estates in Kiratina, Lanet, forcing the evacuation of women and children to safer homes.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and rivers, and move to higher ground where necessary as the government continues to monitor the evolving weather situation.
