10 Killed and 71 Vehicles Swept Away in Nairobi Flash Floods

At least ten people have died after torrential rain triggered severe flash floods across Nairobi, sweeping through roads and neighbourhoods and leaving dozens of vehicles stranded as rescue teams search for more victims.

Police said most of the deaths were caused by fast-moving floodwaters that struck the city on Friday evening. Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah confirmed that eight victims were swept away by the current, while two others died in separate incidents involving electrocution during the storm. Emergency teams remain deployed in several locations as officers search for people believed to be trapped beneath debris and submerged vehicles.

The heavy rain paralysed large sections of the capital overnight. Major roads were flooded and traffic came to a standstill as water levels rose quickly in low-lying areas and poorly drained streets. Police estimate that at least 71 vehicles were swept away, stranded, or badly damaged.

Authorities also reported a separate fatal incident outside the capital in Kitengela. A man attempting to cross the swollen Kitengela River lost control of his vehicle and was carried away by the current. Local officials said a search operation is underway to recover his body.

The government has launched a coordinated emergency response involving several state agencies and humanitarian organisations. Public Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku chaired a meeting on Saturday with representatives from the National Police Service, the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Meteorological Department and the National Youth Service. The meeting focused on coordinating rescue operations and preparing communities for further rainfall expected in the coming days.

Authorities have directed every sub-county to set up emergency information desks and rapid response centres. Officials said the measure is intended to strengthen communication and provide assistance to residents affected by the floods, particularly in areas where damaged infrastructure or blocked roads may delay relief efforts.

Flooding has also disrupted transport beyond the capital. The Kenya National Highways Authority said the Mai Mahiu–Suswa–Narok road became impassable after floodwaters deposited heavy silt near Kedong Ranch. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes or postpone travel while engineers clear the affected section.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued warnings of continued heavy rainfall across several regions. Forecasts indicate further downpours in parts of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, coastal counties and northern areas of the country. Meteorologists warned that saturated soil and rising river levels increase the risk of additional flash floods.

Within Nairobi, floodwater covered several major roads, including sections of Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road and Thika Superhighway. Many commuters were trapped in traffic for hours, and some motorists abandoned their vehicles as water levels continued to rise. Several residential areas also reported water entering homes, particularly in settlements near the Nairobi River.

During the storm, operators of the Nairobi Expressway temporarily opened the toll road free of charge for two hours on Friday evening. The measure provided an alternative route as floodwaters overwhelmed sections of Mombasa Road.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered emergency teams to operate around the clock to assist affected communities and restore access to key roads.