NAIROBI, Kenya — Rescue teams struggled to respond swiftly to devastating floods that struck parts of Nairobi on Friday after roads became flooded and impassable, hampering emergency operations across the capital, the Kenya Red Cross Society has said.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV Kenya on Saturday, Red Cross Secretary General Ahmed Idris said the scale of destruction caused by the heavy rains was far greater than emergency responders had anticipated.
“We acknowledge that what we witnessed yesterday was far beyond what we had anticipated in terms of impact, and as a result, our teams were extremely stretched,” Ahmed said.
He clarified that the national death toll, which has now risen to 28, includes fatalities linked not only to flooding but also to other weather-related incidents such as lightning strikes.
“It is also important to clarify that the total figure is not solely a result of flooding. Some of the deaths are linked to other rain-related incidents, such as lightning strikes. This evening in Lamu, there was a lightning strike that killed one person. That is why the numbers have moved from 25 to 28,” he said.
According to Ahmed, flooded and blocked roads significantly slowed emergency response efforts across Nairobi, forcing rescue teams to navigate long delays while attempting to reach affected areas.
“One of the factors that delayed our response last night was that many roads were completely inaccessible, making movement very difficult. In some cases, it took us more than two hours to move from South C to, for example, along Ngong Road,” he added.
The Red Cross has since reorganised its operations to improve response capacity as heavy rains continue across the country. Ahmed said three emergency response teams have been placed on standby in Nairobi, equipped with rescue boats and trained aqua rescue personnel.
“As we speak, we have three teams on standby in Nairobi, including two boats and fully trained aqua rescue teams. We have therefore put our best foot forward to ensure we can respond more effectively,” he said.
Ahmed explained that the organisation relies heavily on weather forecasts and anticipatory planning to guide disaster preparedness and emergency response.
“First, we greatly respect the weather forecast. Our policy position is that our interventions are guided by anticipatory planning. Once we receive the weather forecast, we immediately begin preparations and put in place the proper response mechanisms,” he said.
He added that resources have already been positioned in areas likely to be affected by flooding, including essential relief supplies for displaced communities.
“We have already spread out our resources and assets to the areas where they are needed most. We have also pre-positioned essential non-food items such as temporary shelter materials, kitchen sets and other supplies required by displaced populations,” he said.
The Red Cross is currently monitoring at least 11 counties either affected by flooding or at risk as the rains persist. Ahmed noted that some regions remain under observation due to rising water levels in rivers and lakes.
“Siaya is currently not affected, but we are monitoring River Yala and its water levels. In Busia, we are now witnessing backflow from the lake, and if the rains continue, we anticipate that the situation could worsen and more areas may be affected,” he said.
The update came as the government activated a multi-agency emergency response team to coordinate rescue, relief, and recovery operations across the country.
Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said both urban and rural areas have been affected by the ongoing floods.
Counties reporting major impacts include Nairobi, Kiambu County, Kajiado County, Makueni County, Nakuru County, Migori County, Murang’a County, Bungoma County, Kwale County, Kirinyaga County and Tharaka Nithi County.
Ruku said about 3,500 households in Nairobi alone have been affected by the floods. In western Kenya, 381 households in Kisumu County were displaced after the Sondu-Miriu River burst its banks, affecting Kobala and Kobuya locations.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that the ongoing rains are expected to intensify across most parts of the country until Monday, March 9.
The agency forecast widespread rainfall across Nairobi, with heavy downpours likely in several areas including Westlands, Dagoretti, Roysambu, Kibra, Embakasi, Makadara, Kamukunji, Lang’ata, Kasarani and Mathare.
Neighbouring Kiambu County is also expected to receive significant rainfall, particularly in Gatundu North, Gatundu South, Thika Town, Juja, Ruiru, Limuru, Kikuyu, and Githunguri.
Meteorologists further warned that parts of Kajiado County and Machakos County could experience isolated to widespread rainfall in the coming days, raising fears that flood risks may persist if the heavy downpours continue.
