A driver narrowly escaped death following the February 17 Nairobi floods after her vehicle was fully submerged in floodwaters.
In a viral video posted online, as seen by The Kenya Times, a moving car overturned and was submerged in floodwater along a roadside, as bystanders shouted for help.
Emergency responders and good Samaritans rescued the driver just in time, preventing a potential tragedy.
From the shared posts of the videos, the incident reportedly occurred at Ruai Bypass.
Comments on the post highlighted concerns over Nairobi’s poor drainage, potholes, and infrastructure maintenance, as the Nairobi residents called out Governor Johnson Sakaja over the same.
Nairobi Floods Trigger Public Outcry Over Poor Drainage
The flooding submerged vehicles and disrupted traffic, drawing public attention to the city’s failing drainage systems and the urgent need for infrastructure improvements.
Residents and social media users blamed poor planning, corruption, and neglect for the recurring flood hazards. One user highlighted the systemic issues contributing to the near-fatal incident.
“Scenes from Ruai Bypass, where failed infrastructure, tender-driven greed, and political decay converged in a near-fatal drowning of an innocent woman,” said @FGaitho237 in a post.
Others compared Nairobi’s flooding to regions traditionally prone to heavy rains, expressing frustration over unfulfilled development promises.
Also Read: National Govt to Finally Take Over Nairobi County from Sakaja
“What happens in Nairobi when it rains? Floods all over, Nairobi flooding has no difference from the Northeastern counties like Garisa, Isiolo, when it rains. This is Ruai yesterday after a short rain. Will we ever realise the Singapore dream?” questioned @Dante_Detrixx.
Kenya Met Warns On Counties Set for Heavy Rains Throughout February
The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has issued a weather forecast for February 16 to February 23, 2026, indicating mixed conditions across the country.
In a public statement on February 16, KMD reported that rainfall is likely in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Southeastern Lowlands.
Also Read: KeNHA Closes Road After Floods Wash Away Major Section
Kenya Met stated that counties likely to see the most rain include Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, parts of Narok, and parts of Kajiado and Taita Taveta toward the Tanzanian border.
The wet conditions extend across much of the Lake Region and the South Rift, covering counties from Kisumu and Siaya to Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, and down through Kericho, Bomet, Nandi, and Uasin Gishu.
The images seen by The Kenya Times show that rainfall will be more frequent in the afternoons and nights, with mornings remaining mostly sunny.
Light to moderate showers may also occur in sections of the Central Highlands and Nairobi.
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