NAIROBI, Kenya — Flood-related fatalities across the country have risen to 71, with more than 2,600 families displaced and widespread destruction of property reported, according to the latest update from police.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga says Nairobi is the worst hit with 36 deaths.
“The Nyanza region has four fatalities, the Rift Valley has 8 and the Central region has reported one,” he said in a statement.
The National Police Service said the heavy rains, which have pounded several parts of the country since early March, have triggered flash floods that continue to claim lives and displace communities.
Homes, roads, and critical infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving thousands of families in urgent need of shelter and humanitarian assistance.
Nairobi remains among the hardest-hit regions, with floodwaters submerging roads, sweeping away vehicles, and disrupting transport and daily life.
PRESS RELEASE : SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS CONTINUE NATIONWIDE FOLLOWING FLOODS
Across the country, emergency teams have been deployed to evacuate residents from high-risk areas and assist those stranded by rising water levels.
Police said multi-agency teams, including the military, county governments, and humanitarian organizations, are actively involved in rescue efforts, body recovery, and the distribution of relief supplies.
Authorities have urged residents living in flood-prone areas, especially along riverbanks and riparian zones, to move to safer ground.
“With rains projected to continue across the country, we urge members of the public to exercise extreme caution and vigilance, and to strictly adhere to updates and safety advisories issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department and other relevant government agencies,” the Police spokesperson said.
Experts have linked the severity of the flooding to intense seasonal rains, which have caused rivers to overflow and drainage systems to fail in several urban centres.
The ongoing rains have also raised fears of waterborne diseases and further displacement if conditions persist.
The government has reiterated its commitment to supporting affected families, even as calls grow for long-term solutions to recurrent flooding, including improved urban planning, drainage systems, and enforcement of regulations on settlements in high-risk areas.
Rescue operations are still underway, with officials warning that the situation remains fluid as rains continue in several parts of the country.
