Floods hit Nairobi again, Red Cross says thirteen rescued

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the Nairobi and Ngong rivers overflowed during the Saturday downpour. 

The Kenya Red Cross says thirteen people have so far been rescued from the city floods. This includes eleven people who were marooned in a matatu along Bunyala Road. 

The heavy downpour has caused flooding in several areas, including Parklands, the Central Business District (CBD), University of Nairobi hostels, Ngong Road around Ngando area, Lower Kabete, Kibera, South B, Kawangware, Lang’ata, Lavington, Grogon, Eastleigh and Riruta.

Major traffic disruptions have also been reported along key routes, including the Nairobi Expressway near the Museum Hill exit, as well as Limuru Road, Bunyala Road and Lusaka Road.

Emergency teams have urged motorists and residents to avoid flooded areas and remain alert as rescue operations continue.

The Ministry of Interior reported that the heavy rains claimed 62 lives last week, with 33 fatalities reported in Nairobi. 17 deaths were reported in the Eastern Region and 7 in the Rift Valley. 

The Saturday downpour hampered operations of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage company, which was conducting repair works on the damaged transmission pipeline along Outering Road.

According to Nairobi Water, its officials had to call off the operation at 10:00 PM. The exercise, the utility company says, will resume later today depending on the weather conditions.

In the meantime, residents have been urged to order water through the bowser delivery service by dialing *260# and selecting Option 5.