Police confirmed that 23 people have died following heavy overnight rainfall that triggered severe flooding across several parts of Nairobi.
This came as rescue teams continue searching for survivors.
Police said the torrential rains caused widespread flooding, destruction of property, road closures and the displacement of residents in multiple neighbourhoods across the city.
The most affected areas include Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, South B, South C, Pipeline in Embakasi, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai and parts of Westlands.
Major transport corridors have also been impacted, with sections of Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, Thika Superhighway, Jogoo Road, Enterprise Road and Lang’ata Road experiencing flooding that disrupted traffic and mobility.
Authorities said emergency response teams moved quickly overnight to conduct search and rescue missions in affected areas.
Police confirmed that 29 people have so far been rescued from different locations and are currently receiving assistance.
The National Police Service spokesman Michael Muchiri said its officers are working closely with other emergency responders and remain fully deployed across affected areas, responding to distress calls and continuing rescue operations as rainfall persists.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads and exercise extreme caution while travelling.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report emergencies through the toll-free numbers 999, 911 and 112, or via #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203 and WhatsApp 0709 570 000.
Muchiri said the service, working alongside other government agencies, remains committed to safeguarding lives and property during the ongoing flooding crisis.
The search and rescue mission went on Saturday. Major highways and urban roads were heavily disrupted, with some rendered impassable through the night.
Police said traffic snarl-ups stretched into the early hours of Saturday as motorists struggled to navigate flooded sections.
The most affected transport corridors included roads within the central business district and surrounding feeder routes such as Museum Hill, Uhuru Park and Uhuru Highway, as well as Mbagathi Way.
Floodwaters also disrupted traffic along Mombasa Road near South C, Bellevue, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport exit and Kyumbi junction.
Emergency response teams, including the military, were deployed overnight to assist stranded residents and restore mobility in affected areas.
The Kenya Red Cross Society said its first responders rescued at least 20 people who had been stranded along Kirinyaga Road after floodwaters overwhelmed parts of the area.
A military Rapid Response Unit was also mobilised to support emergency operations in the city.
The unit conducted traffic control operations and facilitated the towing of five vehicles that had stalled at the Kariokor–Ring Road roundabout due to the swollen Nairobi River, helping restore traffic flow.
Additional traffic management was set up at the Mbagathi Roundabout, which had also been affected by flooding.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that intense rainfall is expected to continue in most parts of the country, increasing the risk of flooding, swollen rivers and transport disruption.
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced that an emergency coordination meeting was held on Saturday morning bringing together key national disaster response agencies.
The meeting involved the State Department for Special Programmes, the National Police Service, the National Youth Service, the St. John Ambulance Kenya, as well as the National Disaster Management Unit, the National Disaster Operations Centre and the National Drought Management Authority.
Authorities say the meeting will focus on accelerating response measures and strengthening coordination among emergency agencies as the country braces for continued rainfall.
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