UPDATE: The National Police Service has confirmed that at least 23 people died following severe floods that hit Nairobi on Friday, March 6.
In a statement issued on March 7, NPS stated that the heavy rains caused extensive damage, including the destruction of property, the closure of major roads, and the displacement of residents in affected areas.
“The torrential rains have led to significant flooding, unfortunately resulting in 23 fatalities so far, the destruction of property, road closures, and the displacement of residents,” read part of the statement.
Earlier, the Nairobi Police Commander George Seda reported that eight of the victims were swept away by rapidly rising waters, with some losing their lives while trapped in vehicles carried off by the strong currents, while two additional fatalities occurred in separate electrocution incidents in different parts of the county during the floods.
He reported that at least 71 vehicles were stranded across the city as major roads became impassable due to heavy flooding.
In an interview with Radio Citizen on March 7, he cautioned that more fatalities could be reported as rescue teams work in the worst-hit parts of the city.
The Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in several parts of Nairobi and surrounding areas, leading to road closures, property damage, displacement and distress among affected communities.
Nairobi Floods Leave 10 Dead, Vehicles Swept Away
In an instance, a man was killed when his vehicle was swept down a stream while crossing the Kitengela River last night. Police in Kitengela are currently searching for his body.
The Kenya Red Cross reported that their emergency responders rescued 20 people stranded along Kirinyaga Road and moved them to safety.
Teams continued to monitor the situation and provided support to those affected.
Also Read: Moja Expressway Grants Free Access to Nairobi Expressway Amid Flooding Crisis
Affected Areas and Roads
The Society carried out mop-up operations in Nairobi’s hardest-hit areas following the floods.
The affected neighborhoods include Pipeline and Embakasi (where Kware Road was cut off), Mukuru (Kwa Njenga, Reuben, Viwandani), Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, South B and South C, Nairobi West, Lang’ata, Umoja 3, Chokaa, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai, Loresho, and parts of Westlands.
Also Read: Weatherman Warns Nairobi Residents of Peak Heavy Rains and Flood Risks
Major roads affected by the floods include sections of the CBD, Uhuru Highway, Mbagathi Way, Mombasa Road (from South C to the JKIA exit at Kyumbi), Thika Superhighway (between Githurai and Kahawa Sukari), Jogoo Road, Lunga Lunga Road, Enterprise Road, and Lang’ata Road near T-Mall.
Apart from Nairobi, flooding has been reported in Wang’chieng Ward, Kisumu County, after the Sondu-Miriu River overflowed its banks, affecting the Kobala and Kobuya areas.
About 381 households have been impacted, with homes and farms submerged and nearly 56 hectares of farmland destroyed.
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