The heavy rains in most parts of the country have left a grim aftermath, claiming lives and leaving behind a trail of destruction.
Nairobi County has been particularly hard hit, with residents grappling with the impacts of the heavy downpours.
In a statement on Wednesday, April 24, the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) highlighted the areas severely affected by the adverse weather conditions.
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According to the KRC, numerous parts of Nairobi bore the brunt of the intense rainfall overnight, leading to flash floods in various neighbourhoods.
"Many parts of Nairobi have experienced heavy rainfall overnight, resulting in flash floods in areas such as Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, Umoja 3, Choka, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Githurai, Kahawa, Eastern Bypass, Kinoo, Kijabe, Limuru, Ruiru, Graceland, Joska, Kaswito, Kicheko, Mangili, Kenyatta Road, Juja, Kitengela, and Magadi," the statement from the KRC revealed.
Many parts of Nairobi have experienced heavy rainfall overnight, resulting in flash floods in areas such as Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, Umoja 3, Choka, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Githurai, Kahawa, Eastern Bypass, Kinoo, Kijabe, Limuru, Ruiru, Graceland, Joska,… pic.twitter.com/SwCcsRUs5d
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 24, 2024
The situation has been exacerbated by the overflowing of the Athi River, which has burst its banks, intensifying the impact of the floods.
Roads and bridges have been severely affected, leading to heavy traffic congestion on major routes across the county.
"Our response teams are on the ground in most of these areas, evacuating families to safety and providing other life-saving interventions," the KRC statement further assured.
Sakaja to Nairobi residents
On April 21, in a press statement, Governor Johnson Sakaja reassured residents of the city that proactive measures were underway to address the ongoing flood situation.
Sakaja disclosed that collaborative efforts between the mobility and works team, alongside the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), were actively ensuring the accessibility of roads despite the challenges posed by flooding.
Additionally, the governor affirmed that emergency response teams, including the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), as well as health, wellness, nutrition, mobility, and disaster management units, had been dispatched to affected areas to mitigate the impact of the floods.
Sakaja urged residents to remain vigilant and exercise caution, especially those residing near riverbanks.
He further advised individuals living in estates or buildings encroaching on river areas to evacuate promptly for their safety.
The governor urged residents to heed warnings and advisories issued by relevant authorities and to refrain from unnecessary travel in flood-prone zones.
He assured the public that all county emergency services were on standby and prepared to offer assistance.
In the event of an emergency, residents were encouraged to contact the county hotline at 1508 for immediate support.
