Heavy floods in Nairobi claim at least 23 lives

Saturday 07 March 2026 - 14:00

At least 23 people have died in Nairobi following overnight floods, according to local police. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing across the Kenyan capital.

The torrential rains led to severe flooding, causing fatalities, property damage, road closures, and displacements among residents, the police reported. Emergency teams continue to recover bodies and assist trapped residents, while journalists on the scene observed significant damage to roads and infrastructure, from the city’s sprawling informal settlements to affluent neighborhoods such as Parklands.

“This is a catastrophe,” said Munir Ahmed, spokesperson for the Kenyan Red Cross. “A very large number of areas in the city have been affected, as well as counties across the country.”

At least 29 people were rescued overnight, with authorities maintaining full deployment. The floods have sparked public anger online toward Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who had pledged to address drainage and road infrastructure issues since taking office in 2022. Critics have pointed to a lack of active flood management or preparation, calling for accountability.

The Kenyan Red Cross also reported that hundreds of homes in neighboring counties were impacted and that vast agricultural lands have been destroyed. Authorities continue to coordinate relief efforts amid ongoing heavy rains.