Kenyans visiting Karura Forest will be restricted from certain areas after rivers in the forest broke their banks due to heavy rainfall.
In a statement on March 6, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) said that paths leading to caves, waterfalls, and bridges have been closed off to prevent accidents.
“Due to the ongoing heavy rainfalls, rivers flowing through Karura forest have burst their banks. As a result, paths leading to the caves, waterfalls and bridges have been closed off,” read part of the statement.
KFS said visitors will not be allowed into the affected zones until further notice and advised the public to exercise caution.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns to the foresters’ office.
Authorities warned that continued rains could worsen the flooding, urging Kenyans to follow safety guidelines and avoid the high-risk areas.
Photos obtained by The Kenya Times show a section of Karura Forest where a river has overflowed, flooding a footpath and a small bridge.
The muddy brown water has partially submerged the metal railings along the trail.
This is not the first time Karura Forest has been hit by flooding. In 2024, heavy rains also caused rivers to overflow, damaging trails and infrastructure.
Kenyans had been warned that such incidents could become more frequent as extreme weather continued to affect the country.
Karura Forest Not Spared From Ongoing Heavy Rains
This comes after the the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) issued a 24-hour rainfall advisory for parts of the Nairobi Metropolis.
In a statement dated March 2, Kenya Met warned of continued rainfall from 9 AM on March 2 to 9 AM on March 3, 2026.
Also Read: KWS Warns Motorists After Vehicles Get Stuck at Nairobi National Park
Further, the weatherman cautioned that flooding may occur even in areas that have not experienced heavy rain, especially in downstream areas where water flows from higher ground.
Urban centres, low-lying settlements, and regions near rivers are considered particularly vulnerable.
Also Read: KWS Shares Advisory After Tourist Van Was Swept Away on Mara River Bridge
KWS Shares Advisory After Tourist Van Was Swept Away on Mara River Bridge
In late February, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) issued a safety advisory for tourists heading to Tsavo East National Park, urging them to avoid impassable routes after a vehicle was swept away by floods along the Mara River.
The agency advised tourists and tour operators to avoid certain routes that have become dangerous due to flooding and poor road conditions.
In a notice dated February 27, KWS announced that the Malindi–Sala Gate and Sala Gate–Aruba Area access routes are currently impassable and have been temporarily closed to the public due to the heavy rainfall experienced in the region.
The agency explained that the continuous downpour had severely affected road conditions, making the two routes unsafe for both tourists and tour operators.
To ensure the safety of visitors heading to Tsavo East National Park, KWS encouraged travellers to use alternative entry points such as Bachuma Gate or Voi Gate (via Voi), which remain accessible and safer under the current weather conditions.
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