Flash floods kill at least 23 in Nairobi

At least 23 people have died in flash floods that struck Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday night, authorities said Saturday, as torrential rains swept through the city, flooding homes, businesses, and major roads.

Rescue teams have pulled out at least 29 people and continue to evacuate residents trapped by the rising waters. AFP reporters observed widespread damage from the city’s slums to upmarket areas like Parklands, with infrastructure and vehicles swept away by the floodwaters.

Frederick Wasonga, a car accessories seller, described how riverbanks broke and water destroyed shops, while Derrick Juma said two of his neighbours died—one from electrocution and another from exposure.

Kenyan Red Cross spokesperson Munir Ahmed confirmed that multiple counties have been affected, with hundreds of households impacted and farmland destroyed. President William Ruto has deployed an emergency response team to coordinate rescue operations, emphasizing the urgent need for long-term solutions to urban flooding.

Residents expressed frustration with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over the city’s lack of drainage infrastructure, noting that repeated flooding highlights persistent urban planning challenges.

Kenya Airways diverted several flights from Nairobi to Mombasa due to the severe rains, while humanitarian agencies continue to assist affected communities.

The floods follow a pattern of extreme weather in East Africa, with recent studies showing increasing rainfall variability and last month’s emergency-level drought in Mandera county.

The situation remains fluid as rescue operations continue and authorities assess the full extent of the devastation.

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