MOMBASA, Kenya — Heavy rains in Mombasa have paralysed operations at Inuka Police Station in Likoni Sub-county after floodwaters submerged parts of the facility, destroying critical records and forcing the evacuation of detainees.
Police said key files and evidential materials were damaged when water inundated sections of the station during a heavy downpour, raising concerns over the integrity of ongoing investigations and court cases.
Sixteen suspects who had been in custody were transferred to Shelly Beach Police Station as officers scrambled to secure the premises and salvage remaining documents.
Efforts to drain the flooded areas and restore operations are ongoing, with authorities indicating that services will temporarily continue from alternative locations.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of long-standing drainage challenges in the coastal city, where seasonal rains frequently disrupt daily life and infrastructure.
Low-lying areas such as Likoni, Kisauni, and parts of the island have historically borne the brunt of flooding, with rapid urban expansion outpacing investment in drainage systems.
Residents say the situation has worsened over time due to blocked or undersized drainage channels.
“Every time it rains, the water has nowhere to go. The drains are either blocked or too small,” said Abdallah Juma, a local resident.
Another resident, Ali Hassan, criticised what he described as inaction by authorities. “We keep reporting the problem, but nothing changes. Roads become rivers, and even public offices are not spared,” he said.
The flooding of a police station—a critical public institution—underscores the scale of the infrastructure deficit and its implications for governance, service delivery, and access to justice.
Damage to exhibits and records could potentially complicate prosecutions, depending on the extent of losses and the availability of backup documentation, raising legal concerns under fair trial principles.
County authorities have previously acknowledged the drainage problem and pledged upgrades, but recurring incidents continue to fuel public frustration and calls for long-term solutions.
