Nairobi Floods: Death Toll Rises to 23 as Heavy Rainfall Continues Until March 10

Heavy rainfall has left at least 23 people dead in Nairobi after a night of torrential downpours caused the Nairobi River to burst its banks. The capital has faced widespread destruction, with the national death toll reaching 28 people.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the victims in Nairobi include 21 male adults and two children. Another death was reported in Kitengela, Kajiado County, after a car was swept away. In Kiambu County, two male children also lost their lives.

Tragedy in the Grogan Area

The Grogan area has been one of the hardest hit. Three people died there after the river overflowed, sweeping away vehicles and people.

One man’s body was found inside a car where he had sought shelter. Another man was electrocuted while trying to hide from the rain.

John Lomayan, a local security guard, witnessed the power of the water. He saw someone he knew being carried away by the current.

"I saw him being carried by the water from up there. We didn’t know where he had gone. It is only now that we see him under the car," Lomayan said.

City in Lockdown

The floods have caused chaos for the city's transport and business sectors. Key roads, including Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and Kirinyaga Road, were submerged. This resulted in several flights being cancelled or diverted to Mombasa.

READ MORE: Nairobi Floods: 4 Dead and City Gridlocked by Heavy Rain

In the industrial districts, business owners are counting losses in the millions. Underground workshops were filled with water, destroying spare parts and vehicles left for repair. Police and emergency teams have rescued around 30 people who were trapped by the rising waters.

Military Intervention

Kenya’s military has been deployed to assist people trapped in their vehicles. They are working alongside police to manage the "trail of destruction" left across the city.

"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," a police statement confirmed.

More Rain Expected

The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a stern warning. The capital can expect between 30mm and 70mm of rain in the coming days. Experts predict that river levels will continue to rise through 9 March, with peak rainfall likely to last until at least 10 March.

Residents have been advised to avoid flooded streets and drainage channels. Visibility remains poor, and more urban flooding is expected in the Central Highlands and coastal areas.

A History of Flooding

This disaster follows a pattern of extreme weather in the region. Last year, hundreds of people were killed across Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania due to severe flooding and landslides.

As the rain continues this week, the government is facing renewed calls to improve city infrastructure to prevent such high death tolls in the future.