Motorists using Mombasa Road have been urged to exercise caution following heavy overnight rainfall on Thursday, which caused flooding in parts of Nairobi, raising water levels and leading to major traffic disruptions along the busy highway.
The Kenya Red Cross (KRC) reported in an update on Friday, May 1, that water levels along Mombasa Road were rising, resulting in flooding in several sections.
“Following heavy downpour, rising water levels have been reported along Mombasa Road (Eastern Bypass), resulting in flooding,” KRC said.
Emergency response teams have been placed on standby to assess the situation and support any necessary rescue operations.
Flooding on Mombasa Road Causes Major Traffic Snarl-Up
In a traffic advisory posted on X, Securex Agencies Ltd stated that the situation has further worsened after a lorry became submerged in floodwaters near City Cabanas.
“Major traffic snarl-up along Mombasa Road after a lorry submerged in floodwaters near City Cabanas. Exercise caution, expect delays, and consider alternative routes where possible,” the advisory read.
Flooding has also been reported near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), causing a major traffic snarl-up toward the Nairobi CBD,
Flooding Experienced Across The Country
The Kenya Red Cross has reported widespread flooding across the city and its outskirts following heavy downpour.
In Mukuru kwa Njenga, there were unconfirmed reports of missing persons and marooned households. The agency said its Nairobi response teams had been deployed to assess the situation and carry out rescue operations if necessary.
Elsewhere in Nairobi, flash floods were reported near T-Mall along Lang’ata Road, where a vehicle was trapped in a ditch with occupants inside. However, all the occupants were successfully evacuated.
“In Kajiado, flooding from the swollen Kandisi River along Magadi Road left three people initially trapped in a lorry. They were later rescued,” Kenya Red Cross said.
Additional flash floods have been reported in Moyale, Marsabit County. The Kenya Red Cross said it remains on standby for potential search-and-rescue operations as the situation continues to evolve.
Also Read: Kenya Met Issues High Flood Risk Alert for Tana River Basin
The flooding comes two days after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of heavy downpours in several regions.
On April 29, the department said rainfall is expected to persist in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, the Coast, and Northeastern Kenya.
Some are likely to experience intense rainfall events that could trigger flash floods, landslides, and rising river levels.
Also Read: Urgent Alert Issued as Floods Affect Over 650 Households in Nairobi
NPS Floods Advisory
This comes as the National Police Service (NPS) urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and avoid crossing flooded roads or rivers.
In a statement, the NPS said it is working in coordination with other government agencies and remains on high alert following persistent rainfall that has already caused significant disruption and damage in various regions.
Within Nairobi, the situation has been worsened by rapidly rising water levels in major rivers, including the Nairobi, Mathare, Ngong, Kamiti, and Athi rivers, all of which drain into the larger Athi River system that is currently running at critically high levels.
