42 dead in nationwide floods, police say

Heavy rains pounding several parts of the country have triggered floods that have killed 42 Kenyans, destroyed homes, cut off roads and displaced hundreds of families.

In many areas, rivers have burst their banks, sweeping away houses, livestock and crops as residents scramble to move to safer ground.

Authorities say several roads have been rendered impassable, disrupting transport and slowing emergency response efforts in some of the worst-hit regions.

Local leaders have warned that the situation could worsen if the rains continue, urging residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground.

Humanitarian agencies and county governments have begun mobilising relief supplies as affected families seek shelter in schools, churches and other temporary camps.

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

In its latest forecast, the  Kenya Meteorological Department said expected rains are likely to still cause flooding as the soils are saturated from prolonged wet spells since February.

“Heavy Rainfall Advisory No. 02/2026 remains in effect until tomorrow, 9 March at 19:00 EAT. Intensity has eased slightly from the peak (4–7 March), but moderate to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms continue across the metro area,” it said.

The forecast showed rainfall in Nairobi County would continue to be widespread especially in southern Embakasi, Kibra, Makadara, Kamukunji, parts of Roysambu, Westlands, Dagoretti and Kasarani. In  Kiambu County, rains are expected in Gatundu, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Limuru, Kikuyu, Kabete, Githunguri, while Machakos, Kathiani, Machakos Town, Matungulu, and Yatta would be affected.

In Makueni County, seven people have so far lost their lives after drowning in swollen rivers following heavy rains in the last two weeks. The victims include Eric Mwendwa Mutinda, who drowned at Kwa Ngave Dam in Kambu Sub-county.

The heavy rainfall has also disrupted transport after damaging roads and bridges.

Yesterday, motorists were forced to use the Machakos-Wote-Makindu bypass to avoid a heavy traffic jam that lasted for hours at the Machakos junction along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, which was linked to the ongoing rainfall.

The rains have also destroyed homes across the county, leaving two women nursing injuries after their houses collapsed on them.

Read: Deaths, destruction and incompetence: Shame of poor planning, slow response as floods kill 25

Makueni County Disaster Management Officer James Musyoki said emergency teams were on high alert as residents counted losses caused by the ongoing rains.

Heavy rains pounding parts of the North Rift region have left a trail of destruction after flash floods swept away one person, displaced families and wiped out irrigation farms, with rivers bursting their banks across several counties.

In West Pokot County, one person died while attempting to cross the swollen Kosipiri River in Alale.

According to Kenya Red Cross Society North Rift regional manager Oscar Okumu, the victim’s body was later recovered.

In Bungoma County, at least 22 families in the Chepyuk area of Mt Elgon Sub-county were displaced after their homes were damaged by floodwaters that swept through villages.

“Some houses collapsed and many families had to move to higher ground,” said Jane Chepkwemoi, a resident of Chepyuk.

Livestock losses were also reported in several areas. At least 14 animals died following the heavy rains. Four were struck by lightning in Chepkorio area of Elgeyo Marakwet County, while another ten died after being trapped in flooded grazing fields and homesteads in Bungoma County.

In Baringo, farmers are counting massive losses after flash floods swept through irrigation farms when River Perkerra burst its banks.

Read: Shame of Kenya’s Sh35bn spend on flood control in four years as fresh rains expose poor planning

River Perkerra, which drains from the Mau Forest and flows into Lake Baringo, is the only perennial river in the area and serves as a lifeline for irrigation farming in the Marigat lowlands.

Other irrigation schemes affected by the floods include Murda, Wasu, Nenteyo, Ilpunyaki, Lorrok, Sandai, Mosuro, Eldume, Kamosok and Sukutek.

Mr Peter Lekachuma, a farmer from the Eldume irrigation scheme, said his two-acre tomato farm was completely washed away.

“I had borrowed a loan to cultivate and plant the farm under irrigation, knowing that once the harvest was ready I would repay the debt and use the remaining money to pay school fees for my children and meet other needs,” said Mr Lekachuma.

Baringo County Director in charge of Disaster Management Mike Baimet confirmed that the flash floods had caused heavy losses to farmers, particularly those cultivating along the river.

He urged residents in Ilchamus, Mochongoi, Mogotio and parts of Marigat wards to exercise extreme caution due to the risk of flash floods.

He identified several hotspot areas including Ng’ambo, Leswa, Murda, Sintaan, Iti, Salabani, Kabigogi, Lechapani, Lake Bogoria, Sandai, Kaprogno, Kapcheluguny, Molosirwe, Kures, Oterit, Mogotio Town, Lomanira, Milimani area in Marigat town and sections of Marigat Inn.

In Narok County, Mogor River in Emurua Dikirr constituency burst its banks and destroyed a bridge, making it impassable and risky for motorists.

The Mara River, which forms part of the border between Bomet and Narok counties, has been swelling over the past four days following increased rainfall in the region.

Major rivers in Bomet and Kericho — Chemosit, Amalo and Nyangores — have also recorded increased water volumes in the last week.

“It has become very risky for motorists and pedestrians using the road, and there is danger at night of those unfamiliar with the area being swept away,” said resident Peter Koech.

Read: Ignored warnings: How poor planning left Nairobi exposed to deadly floods

In Nakuru, residents of Kaptembwa are counting losses after heavy rains left families stranded and property destroyed, especially in estates situated on lower ground.

Edmond Iraru said the rains began late in the evening and intensified through the night, eventually causing water to enter their houses.

In Murang’a County, families living in landslide-prone areas have urged the government to relocate them to safer ground.

“Our entire habitation history in Kangema and Mathioya constituencies has seen us lose more than 100 lives to landslides. We have also lost land. Every rainfall cycle we wait with bated breath to see where next lives will be lost,” said 83-year-old Martin Kimani from Mucoco village.

He urged the government to fully implement the geological survey report that was made public last year.

The report, presented by Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, noted that seismic assessments had recommended the permanent relocation of residents to avert disasters.

Kangema MP Peter Kihungi said landslides in the area date back to 1917.

He said the region has been experiencing seismic shifts, forcing residents to move temporarily before returning to their land.

Several families have also been displaced in Homa Bay and Kisumu counties after River Miriu burst its banks following heavy rains.

The river, which forms the boundary between the two counties, has displaced more than 2,000 families in Nyong’ong’a sub-location in Nyakach Sub-county, Kisumu County.

In neighbouring Homa Bay County, at least 381 households have been affected in Kobala and Kobuya locations.

Nyong’ong’a Assistant Chief Fred Koga said affected families would temporarily seek shelter at the chief’s camp as well as nearby churches and schools as authorities coordinate emergency response efforts.

Ida Achieng Omollo, a widow, said she was forced to leave behind her livestock after rescuers from the Kenya Coast Guard evacuated her with only a few personal belongings.

“I could not salvage everything. I had to choose my life and leave my livestock behind. I do not know what will happen to them,” she said.

Read: Floods expose city’s planning gaps

In Kobala Ward in Homa Bay County, Judith Akinyi is counting heavy losses after floodwaters submerged her sukuma wiki farm.

“I have lost more than Sh70,000 from sukuma wiki alone. I usually earn about Sh5,000 every four days because the vegetables are planted near the riverbank and mature faster,” she said.

Kobuya Location Chief Damianus Osano said approximately 381 households had been affected in the area, with homesteads and farms flooded and about 56 hectares of farmland destroyed.

At the Coast, a fisherman was killed while another was left in critical condition after they were struck by lightning while fishing at Ingini in Lamu on Saturday evening.

Lamu County Police Commander Shadrack Ruto confirmed the incident, noting that the victim, Kassim Badi Usama, 48, died after they ventured out to sea to fish during heavy rain.

Another fisherman, Mohamed Wako, was injured during the 5pm incident. The fishing vessel was also damaged after lightning struck the long vertical wooden mast supporting the lateen sail on the dhow.

Lamu County Emergency Operation Centre Manager Iftakhar Majid urged fishermen to avoid going out to sea during heavy rains for their own safety.

Although light rain can sometimes improve fishing, Mr Majid said there are situations where fishermen are caught in heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning, which abruptly turns the marine environment into a dangerous and unstable setting.

“In such a situation, fishermen are highly vulnerable to fatal lightning strikes while on the water,” he said.

Mr Mohamed Muhaj, a security and safety expert, said open platforms such as boats, dhows, canoes and other vessels act as prime targets for lightning strikes at sea.

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Reporting by Kalume, Kazungu, Domnic Ombok, Vitalis Kimutai, Mercy Koskei, Barnabas Bii, Florah Koech, Mwangi Muiruri, Pius Maundu