Kenya hit by deadly flash floods
At least 32 people have lost their lives and two others are still missing following devastating flash floods that have affected nearly half of Kenya. Over 103,500 people have been impacted by the floods.
Heavy rainfall has been ongoing in Kenya since mid-March, but the intensity increased significantly over the past week, leading to widespread flooding. The Kenyan Red Cross reported conducting over 188 rescue operations since March.
In Nairobi, several neighborhoods remain submerged, with some roads closed due to flooding. City Senator Edwin Sifuna expressed concern about the escalating situation, urging for national emergency services to be mobilized to save lives.
Videos shared online show residents trapped on the roofs of their houses in Nairobi’s informal settlements. The Kenya Red Cross Society reported rescuing 18 people in the Mathare 4A neighborhood who were stranded due to floodwaters.
Floods also affected major highways out of Nairobi, causing heavy traffic and prompting partial closures by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority. Commuter train services nationwide were suspended by Kenya Railways as a precautionary measure.
The Kenya Meteorological Department issued warnings of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall in parts of the country, emphasizing the continued risk of flooding in various areas.
