In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that 13 additional bodies had been retrieved by rescue teams, bringing the total number of fatalities linked to the heavy rainfall to 23.
According to the police, the torrential rains caused severe flooding across several parts of the capital, resulting in loss of life, destruction of property, road closures and displacement of residents.
“The torrential rains have led to significant flooding, unfortunately resulting in 23 fatalities so far, the destruction of property, road closures, and the displacement of residents,” the police said in a statement signed by spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
Authorities attributed the scale of the disaster partly to poor drainage infrastructure in the city, which allowed water to accumulate quickly and overwhelm several neighbourhoods.
Security and emergency response assessments indicated that the hardest-hit areas included Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, South B, South C, Pipeline and Embakasi, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai and parts of Westlands.
Several major roads were also affected by the floods, causing massive traffic disruptions across the city. Among the roads impacted were sections of Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, the Thika Superhighway, Jogoo Road, Enterprise Road and Lang’ata Road.
The heavy rains left vehicles stranded, submerged roads and forced some residents to evacuate their homes as water levels rose rapidly during the night.
Emergency teams have continued rescue and recovery operations in affected areas, while authorities work to clear blocked roads and restore normal movement across the capital.
The floods have also displaced many families, particularly those living in low-lying and informal settlements, where drainage systems are limited or nonexistent.
Earlier warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department had indicated that heavy rainfall would hit the capital and surrounding regions during the first week of March.
Meteorologists warned that the downpours could trigger flash floods, especially in urban areas with poor drainage systems and settlements located near river channels.
With rainfall expected to continue in the coming days, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid flooded roads and drainage channels, and follow safety advisories issued by emergency agencies.
Rescue teams are still conducting searches in several areas, raising fears that the number of casualties could rise further as the situation continues to unfold.
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