Nairobi floods: Death toll rises to 23 as 29 people rescued, 71 vehicles swept away police say

Death toll following flooding incidents in Nairobi rises to 23. Police say 29 people were rescued following an overnight search and rescue operation. The worst-affected areas include Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Pipeline, Githurai, South B and C, Roysambu and parts of Westlands.

UPDATE 3:00 pm Saturday:

Kenya Met warns of elevated risks of flooding, landslides and water contamination as heavy rainfall to continue throughout the weekend in various parts of the country, including Nairobi, Nyeri, Kisumu, Narok, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru and neighbouring areas.

Nairobi Floods: City Hall confirms water supply disruption in parts of the city, including areas supplied by Outering Road, Eastleigh-Kiambiu, Korogocho-Dandora and Brookside Drive pipelines; technical teams working on affected sites.

Nairobi Floods: City Hall dispatches 4,000 personnel to work alongside other national government agencies to clean up rivers and drains; team to remove solid waste, unblock drains and widen waterways in bid to reduce flood risk.

UPDATE 2:15 pm Saturday:

Nairobi Floods: Death toll following flooding incidents in Nairobi rises to 23. Police say 29 people were rescued following an overnight search and rescue operation. The worst-affected areas include Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Pipeline, Githurai, South B and C, Roysambu and parts of Westlands.

Sections of Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, Thika Superhighway, Jogoo Road, Enterprise Road and Lang'ata Road have also been affected.

The police has urged residents to report sany distress situations or emergencies through toll-free numbers 999, 911 and 112 or via #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203 or reach out via WhatApp 0709 570 000.

UPDATE 1:00 pm Saturday:

Traffic Advisory: Parts of the Mai Mahiu-Suswa-Narok Road has been blocked by silt following flooding in the area; Kenha confirms work to clear the affected section ongoing as it advices motorists to avoid driving through flooded areas and to follow intructions from police and traffic marshalls to avoid getting stuck in silt deposits. Kenha confirms that the section between Naivasha ICD and Suswa Ranch is the most affected; urges motorists to consider using the Ngong-Suswa Road as an alternative route.

Power Outage: Kenya Power confirms that its South C Substation was flooded after part of the boundary wall collapsed affecting electricity supply to various areas including parts of South B, South C, Carnivore, Kenyatta Market, Ngum Estate, Industrial Area, Uhuru Gardens and other surrounding areas.

UPDATE: 12:00 pm Saturday:

Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah has confirmed that at least 10 people died and 71 vehicles were swept away due to widespread flooding in the capital on Friday night.

Mr Sedah said that police officers had been deployed to search for more bodies believed to be under the rubble left by the night’s raging waters.

He had previously informed local media outlets that eight of the bodies found had been swept away by the floods, while the other two had died in separate electrocution incidents.

He said that rescue operations were still ongoing and warned that the death toll could rise.

UPDATE: 10:51 am, Saturday:

The government on Saturday says it has launched a massive multi-agency emergency response as devastating floods continue to paralyse transport and claim lives across the country.

This comes amid unconfirmed reports of deaths in the city following the floods.

In Kitengela, a man was killed after his vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross the swollen Kitengela River.

Kitengela Chief Daniel Isa confirmed that police are currently searching for the body.

Public Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Saturday said he had summoned a high-level emergency meeting.

The meeting, which was set to begin at 8 am, brought together representatives from the National Police Service, the Kenya Red Cross, the Meteorological Department and the National Youth Service to discuss "appropriate response measures".

In an attempt to decentralise rescue efforts, the Ministry has directed that every sub-county in Kenya should immediately establish public information desks, emergency response and assistance centres, and rapid response stations.

At the same time, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued an urgent traveller advisory following a major blockage on the Mai Mahiu – Suswa – Narok (B7) road. Flooding and heavy siltation at Kedong Ranch have made the section impassable.

"The Authority is currently working to reopen the affected section," stated Mr Luka Kimeli, the KeNHA Director General. Motorists are being urged to divert to the Ngong - Suswa Road or remain stationary until the silt deposits are cleared

The Meteorological Department has placed nearly the entire country on high alert.

Heavier-than-usual rainfall is expected to persist in several regions.

In Western and Rift Valley, the regions set to be affected are Nandi, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, and Kakamega. In the Lake Victoria Basin,  Kisumu, Siaya, Homabay, and Migori. In the Coastal and Southeastern region, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Machakos, and Makueni.

In the Northern Frontier, Marsabit, Mandera, Turkana, and Wajir have been affected.

11pm, Friday: Once again, Nairobi is grappling with the devastating impact of severe flooding after heavy rains pounded the city on Friday evening, triggering widespread chaos.

Several streets were submerged and infrastructure damaged, leaving residents stuck in traffic for hours. The floods once again tested the capital city’s disaster preparedness, even as the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that torrential downpours could continue.

The Kenya Met has issued several warnings, confirming that heavy rainfall within 24 hours will persist for the next few days.

“Heavy rainfall could trigger flooding, particularly in urban areas with constrained drainage systems,” the department warned, urging residents to avoid crossing flooded roads and drainage channels.

The warning issued earlier on Friday also noted there could be flash floods, slippery roads, poor visibility and rising river levels.

“Do not drive or walk through moving water or flooded roads. Avoid trees and open areas during thunderstorms. Stay vigilant as heavy rains persist,” the notice said.

The rains caused significant damage and rendered major roads impassable for hours.

Commuters were forced to wait for hours while vehicles struggled to navigate the flooded roads. In some areas, the water was up to knee-deep, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk through.

Public Service Vehicles were also affected. Many of them were unable to access certain routes due to rising water levels.

Heavy rainfall has heightened concerns about Nairobi's drainage systems, with residents and road users demanding urgent action to unblock drainage systems and improve stormwater management.

The worst affected areas were Kenyatta Avenue in the Central Business District, Kirinyaga Road, South C, Thika Road, Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, Ngong Road, Westlands, Parklands and Mbagathi Way, where water levels rose rapidly, making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists.

Videos shared on social media platforms showed vehicles stalling in the middle of flooded roads, while public transport operators struggled to reach their destinations. Many commuters reported being stuck in traffic for hours.

Sections near Uhuru Park were also flooded. On Mombasa Road, floods interfered with traffic  flow. 

Similar situations were witnessed in Parklands, where residents had to find alternative routes to avoid flooded streets.

Meanwhile, flooding on Mbagathi Way left motorists stranded and slowed down the response of emergency services. Commuters were forced to abandon public transport and wade through flooded streets.

Residents of South 'C' reported water flowing into their homes due to clogged drainage systems.

The flooding sparked frustration among residents, with many taking to social media to criticise Nairobi City County Government over what they described as persistent drainage failures in the capital.

They blamed the flooding on blocked drainage systems, uncollected garbage and rapid urban development without adequate infrastructure, which they say has left the city vulnerable whenever heavy rains fall.

Moja Expressway Company, which operates the Nairobi Expressway, opened the road for motorists to use free of charge on Friday night to ease traffic congestion and provide a safer alternative for drivers navigating the flooded Mombasa Road.

In a tweet, the company stated, “Due to the ongoing downpour and flooding along the A8 (Mombasa Road), MOJA is extending free usage of the Nairobi Expressway to all motorists from 2100 to 2300 hrs.”

Traffic authorities and emergency responders remained on high alert. Motorists have been urged to exercise caution during the ongoing rains.

Here are some more photos from last night's flooding caused by the heavy rains.

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Additional reporting by Hilary Kimuyu, Stanley Ngotho and Ndubi Moturi.