[PHOTOS] Ruai reels from Tuesday night flooding

A section of Ruai underpass that was damaged by floods following a heavy downpour on February 17, 2026/ENOS TECHE

Residents of Ruai are still recounting harrowing scenes after heavy rains unleashed sudden floods that swept away at least two vehicles along local roads on Tuesday evening.

The downpour, part of a broader pattern of intense rains affecting Nairobi County, caused water levels to rise rapidly, overwhelming stretches of the Ruai bypass and surrounding low-lying areas.

In one dramatic incident captured in a widely shared video on social media, a saloon car was pushed downstream by fast-moving floodwaters as occupants inside pleaded for help.

A section of blocked drainage section along the Ruai underpass. Residents and the business community have called on the government to build a bigger drainage system that will facilitate the easy flow of water on February 17, 2026 /ENOS TECHE

Onlookers quickly mobilised, wading into the torrent to reach the vehicle.

A group of men managed to pull a man and a woman through the car’s window moments before the vehicle was almost completely submerged.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the pair were guided to safety, visibly shaken but alive.

Local residents described the experience as frightening, noting that infrastructure challenges in the area have long exacerbated flooding risks.

Many pointed to inadequate drainage and blocked culverts as key factors that allow water to accumulate rapidly during heavy rains.

A section of blocked drainage section along the Ruai underpass. Residents and the business community have called on the government to build a bigger drainage system that will facilitate the easy flow of water on February 17, 2026. /ENOS TECHE

Across Nairobi, authorities and meteorologists had warned that rainfall from mid-February into late February would be heavy, with thunderstorms expected to persist.

While no fatalities from the Ruai incident have been officially reported, the episode has renewed calls from community members for improved drainage systems and better early warning mechanisms.

Several drivers and residents also shared accounts of other vehicles struggling to navigate flooded sections, underscoring safety concerns during the rainy season.

Emergency services and county officials have been urged to reinforce public awareness on avoiding flooded roads and to prioritise infrastructure upgrades to mitigate similar risks in future downpours.

A section of the drainage system in Ruai flooded following a heavy downpour on February 17, 2026/ENOS TECHE

A section of the drainage system in Ruai flooded following a heavy downpour on February 17, 2026/ENOS TECHE

A section of the drainage system in Ruai flooded following a heavy downpour on February 17, 2026/ENOS TECHE

A section of the drainage system in Ruai flooded following a heavy downpour on February 17, 2026/ENOS TECHE