Heavy rains that pounded Nairobi overnight caused massive flooding across several parts of the city on Friday morning, leaving major roads blocked and motorists stranded for hours.
One of the worst-hit areas was Mombasa Road, where flooding between Mlolongo and Cabanas disrupted traffic flow and caused a major snarl-up stretching several kilometres.
Witnesses said vehicles remained stuck from the Ole Sereni area to near The Standard Media Group offices as floodwaters covered sections of the highway.
Videos circulating online showed stalled trucks and submerged vehicles, with some motorists reporting they had been stranded since the early hours of the morning.
Flooding was also reported near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Reports further indicated that the Eastern Bypass had become impassable, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes, including the Nairobi Expressway.
Traffic congestion was also reported from Nairobi’s central business district to Athi River.
Several other roads across the capital experienced flooding, including Jogoo Road near the Makadara section and the Church Army roundabout.
In the downtown area which links OTC and Kamukunji, was submerged after the Muthurwa Footbridge overflowed, sending water onto the road and disrupting movement.
Floodwaters also affected railway transport, with reports indicating that the Nairobi Commuter train operating between Syokimau and the city centre could not proceed beyond Imara Daima after sections of the railway line were overwhelmed by water.
Along Lang’ata Road near T-Mall, another area prone to flooding, motorists faced difficulties accessing the road early in the morning before water levels gradually reduced.
Witnesses reported that at least two vehicles slipped into a ditch near the Shell Petrol Station, while a truck reportedly fell into a drainage channel. Police officers responded to the incident.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross said its Nairobi response team had been deployed to Mukuru kwa Njenga following reports of flooding, stranded households and unconfirmed cases of missing persons.
The full extent of the damage caused by the rains had not been established by Saturday morning.
Earlier this week, the National Police Service had warned Nairobi residents, especially those living near rivers, to remain alert as water levels continued to rise.
“Within Nairobi, the situation is further exacerbated by rapidly rising water levels in major rivers, including the Nairobi, Mathare, Ngong, Kamiti and Athi rivers. These waterways all drain into the larger Athi River system, which is currently running at critically high levels,” NPS said on April 29.
Authorities are still assessing the impact of the flooding in estates and areas considered highly vulnerable, including Lang’ata, Ngara, Madaraka, Eastleigh, Kawangware, Kibera, South C, Kasarani, Mathare, Mlolongo and Syokimau.
