At least six people have been confirmed dead after heavy rains pounded Nairobi overnight on Monday, triggering flash floods and deadly landslides in various parts of the city. The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier warned of continued rainfall, a prediction that tragically came to pass for several city residents.
Among the victims were a mother and her two children in Mathare 4A, one of the city’s informal settlements. According to Nairobi police commander George Sedah, a massive boulder dislodged by the rains rolled down and crushed their house. The nearby river, swollen from the downpour, had eroded the ground, weakening the terrain and causing the rock to collapse onto the home as the family slept.
“They drowned after the home was also crushed,” said Sedah, confirming the tragedy. He added that search and rescue operations had been launched in the area to look for other possible victims and to assess the stability of nearby structures.
The flooding also claimed the life of one person in Mukuru Kwa Reuben slums, who was swept away by surging waters. In total, police say more than 500 residents in various parts of Nairobi have been displaced due to the flooding, with many left homeless or in need of urgent relocation.
Two additional deaths were reported in separate incidents. One body was recovered from the Ngong River near Likoni Bridge in South B, while another was found along Jogoo Road, both believed to have drowned after being swept away by the floodwaters.
Residents in Mukuru slums have expressed frustration, saying they feel neglected by authorities despite previous pledges to improve drainage and mitigate the effects of flooding.
Emergency teams from the county government have been deployed to unclog blocked drains and assist affected residents. However, many areas remain inundated, and officials fear the death toll could rise as waters recede and more bodies may be discovered.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that more showers and thunderstorms are expected through the weekend, urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and seek safer ground where possible.
