Eight bodies recovered, more than 100 cars damaged following heavy rains in Nairobi, officials say

At least eight people died following heavy rains that were experienced in Nairobi.

A ninth person was electrocuted in the chaos, police said adding they expected the toll to increase.

Police said the eight victims drowned after the heavy downpours and expressed fears more bodies may be recovered.

Most victims were swept to rivers where the bodies were found stuck. For instance, two bodies were found stuck outside Visa Oshwal Primary School in Parklands, Nairobi, police said.

The bodies were of a man and woman, police said. Three others were found in Nairobi central region with one being recovered in Gikomba Kwa Mbao area.

Three other bodies were recovered in Langata area. Nairobi police boss George Seda warned the toll may increase adding search and rescue was ongoing Saturday.

“Most roads and estates were flooded making it impossible for the rescue mission last night,” he said.

He added more than 100 cars were damaged in the chaos.

“In South C alone there are more than 50 cars affected. Others were overturned on the roadside and parking bays in many parts of the city,” he said.

The rains caused traffic chaos for hours.

Similar incidents were reported in separate parts of the country and where houses are near rivers. Police said they recorded at least three drowning incidents.

The government moved to activate emergency response mechanisms across the country after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned that heavy rainfall will persist in most parts of Kenya, raising fears of flooding, displacement and disruption of transport.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said he was coordinating national disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts as intense rains continue to pound several regions.

He urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and prioritize safety, especially when travelling on flooded roads or near swollen rivers.

“Members of the public are advised to be cautious on the roads for their safety and that of other road users, and to avoid crossing rivers which may have swollen or broken their banks,” Ruku said.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, several counties in western and Rift Valley regions are expected to receive heavier-than-usual rainfall. These include Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Siaya, Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori and Narok.

The forecast also indicates significant rainfall in southeastern counties such as Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita Taveta, as well as coastal counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale and Tana River.

In northern Kenya, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Turkana and Samburu counties have also been flagged for heavy downpours.

The warning comes as Nairobi continues to experience intense rainfall that has left several roads flooded and disrupted movement in parts of the city.

Authorities say the heavy downpour has also affected households in low-lying areas, with some residents reportedly displaced after floodwaters entered homes.

The downpour, which began earlier in the evening, quickly overwhelmed drainage systems in several neighbourhoods including Nairobi West, South C and South B, Kilimani area, Parklands, Eastlands, Nairobi city center and several other parts where roads were submerged under rising water levels.

Motorists along Uhuru Highway were among the hardest hit, with dramatic scenes showing vehicles submerged as floodwaters engulfed sections of the busy roadway.

Flooding was also reported in most parts of the city where heavy runoff turned streets into streams, slowing movement and forcing some drivers to abandon flooded routes.

In several areas, commuters were forced to disembark from public service vehicles and wade through the flooded streets as traffic ground to a halt.

Residents in South C also reported floods in their homes after drainage systems failed to cope with the sudden surge of rainwater.

The flooding sparked frustration among city residents, many of whom took to social media to blame the Nairobi City County Government for what they described as persistent drainage failures in the capital.