Heavy rainfall pounding parts of Kenya has triggered widespread flooding, disrupting transport, stranding residents, and prompting emergency rescue operations in several regions.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, rising water levels have flooded sections of Mombasa Road, particularly along the Eastern Bypass, significantly affecting movement as motorists struggle to navigate submerged stretches.
In the densely populated informal settlement of Mukuru kwa Njenga, early reports indicate possible missing persons and households cut off by floodwaters.
Response teams from the Red Cross in Nairobi have already been deployed to assess the situation and coordinate potential rescue efforts.
Elsewhere in the city, flash floods struck near T-Mall along Lang’ata Road, where a vehicle became trapped in a ditch with occupants inside. All individuals were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported – a rare moment of relief amid an otherwise tense situation.
In Kajiado County, swelling waters from the Kandisi River spilled over along Magadi Road, trapping three people in a lorry. Rescue teams later managed to pull them to safety.
The crisis is not limited to Nairobi and its surroundings. Flash floods have also been reported in Moyale within Marsabit County, with emergency teams on standby as conditions remain unpredictable.
This wave of flooding comes just days after the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a nationwide alert warning of intensified rainfall across multiple regions. Areas expected to be heavily affected include the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Rift Valley, the Coast, and northeastern Kenya.
The forecast paints a grim but familiar pattern: morning rains in scattered areas, followed by afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and continued rainfall into the night across many regions.
In the Highlands East – covering Nairobi and neighboring counties—residents should expect sustained rainfall throughout the day and night.
Regions around the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley are also bracing for persistent showers, while north-western and north-eastern Kenya will see intermittent rainfall punctuated by thunderstorms. Coastal areas are forecast to receive showers at various times throughout the day.
Authorities are warning that these conditions could significantly reduce visibility for motorists and sharply increase the risk of flash floods, particularly in low-lying or poorly drained urban zones – conditions that Nairobi has repeatedly struggled with.
Residents are being urged to remain vigilant, avoid crossing flooded roads, and steer clear of risky shelter points such as trees or structures with exposed metal during storms due to lightning hazards.
On a broader scale, the World Meteorological Organization has issued a global alert pointing to a likely strengthening of El Niño between May and July 2026.
This climate phenomenon is expected to reshape rainfall patterns and push global temperatures higher – raising the stakes for countries like Kenya that are already grappling with climate extremes.
