The Kenya Red Cross has issued an update following heavy rains experienced overnight on Saturday, April 20, 2024, causing floods which left a trail of destruction in various parts of the country.
In a statement on April 21, Kenya Red Cross noted that it had dispatched its Action Team to 360 apartments in Syokimau, Machakos County following a distress call from tenants who raised alarm over the floods caused by the overnight rains.
“360 apartments in Syokimau. Historical problems. This development sits on a water way,” said a social media user named Oloo while attaching a video.
In the video and other photos seen by The Kenya Times, parked cars can be seen partly submerged in the flooded apartment parking area.
Another user Patricia Kombo while lamenting of the destruction caused by the floods in Syokimau noted that she had never experienced such floods for the years she has stayed in the area.
Kenya Red Cross responds
Meanwhile, Kenya Red Cross said that it has also dispatched its team to carry out assessment in other select areas within Nairobi County.
Also Read: Passengers, Journalist Escape Death After Saturday Night Floods
“Following the overnight rains, our Nairobi Red Cross branch has dispatched its team to carry out assessments in the following areas due to the effects of flooding,” read part of the statement.
Among the listed areas include Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Fuata Nyayo, Land Mawe and Mukuru Kayaba.
The Nairobi branch also noted that the overnight downpour adversely impacted hundreds of households residing along the Ngong River.
According to the team, the situation is dire as the river reached full capacity leading to encroachment of water onto people’s properties.
Other areas being monitored by the team include Kayole, Soweto, Lavington, Kibra and Kawangware where a tactical team has been dispatched to assist with Search and Rescue.
On the other hand, police reported that residents residing in Elite Court along Ole Dume Road in Kilimani have been evacuated following the rains.
Floods wreak havoc
The update came after most residents within different Nairobi Area complained of experiencing the adverse effects of the heavy rains.
Images shared online and seen by The Kenya Times showed most estates and roads flooded including Lang’ata Road, Mbagathi Way, Mombasa Road, among others.
Other reported cases of destruction reported include destruction of property, and flooding of houses near drainages, rivers as well as open pit latrines.
However, by the time of publishing of this article, no fatalities were reported, and the amount of property destroyed remains unconfirmed.
According to the Kenya Met Department, heavy rainfall of more than 40mm in 24hrs is expected over areas East of the Rift Valley including Southeast Lowlands and Nairobi area and are set to likely intensify between 20th to 21st April 2024.
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