Ten Dead as Devastating Floods Hit Nairobi, Dozens of Vehicles Trapped Across the City

George Seda, the Nairobi Police Commander, said eight of the victims were swept away by fast-rising floodwaters, with some dying inside vehicles that were carried away by the raging currents.

Seda added that two other victims died in separate electrocution incidents in different parts of the county during the floods.

According to the county police chief, at least 71 vehicles were trapped or stranded across the city after major roads became impassable due to the heavy flooding.

Speaking to Radio Citizen, Seda warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue in several areas severely affected by the floods.

Residents across Nairobi woke up Saturday morning to flooded neighbourhoods, stranded motorists and widespread disruption after the heavy downpour submerged several parts of the city and blocked major roads.

According to Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society, multiple residential estates and informal settlements were severely affected as floodwaters surged through low-lying areas and river corridors.

Among the hardest-hit areas were Pipeline and Embakasi, where sections of Kware Road were cut off by floodwaters. Other affected areas include Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Reuben, Viwandani, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, Baba Dogo and Bosnia.

Flooding was also reported in South B, South C, Nairobi West and Lang’ata, as well as Umoja 3, Chokaa, Njiru, Ruai and Utawala. In other parts of the city, Roysambu along Kamiti Road, Kahawa West, Githurai, Loresho and parts of Westlands also experienced rising water levels.

Major highways and city roads were heavily disrupted, with some rendered impassable overnight. The Kenya Red Cross reported severe traffic congestion lasting into early Saturday morning as motorists struggled through flooded roads.

Emergency response teams, including the military, were deployed overnight to assist stranded residents and restore traffic flow in affected areas.

The Kenya Red Cross said its responders rescued at least 20 people stranded along Kirinyaga Road after floodwaters overwhelmed the area.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that intense rainfall is expected to continue in many parts of the country, raising the risk of further flooding and transport disruption.

In response, Public Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced that an emergency coordination meeting would be held on Saturday bringing together key national disaster response agencies to strengthen response efforts.