OPINION: When it rains, Nairobi pours: Floods expose infrastructure, public health risks

Residents of Nairobi are once again being reminded of a familiar saying: when it rains, it pours. Over the past few years, heavy downpours in the capital have increasingly resulted in flooded roads, disrupted transport, damaged property, and growing public health concerns.

As the rainy season intensifies, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, Nairobi and several other regions of the country are expected to experience above-average rainfall during the current rainy season.

Meteorologists attribute this pattern to changing climatic conditions that are influencing weather systems across East Africa.

In a recent advisory, the department warned that intense storms may lead to flash floods in low-lying areas and neighbourhoods with poor drainage systems. Areas near rivers and informal settlements are particularly vulnerable during periods of prolonged rainfall.

The department has therefore urged residents to keep track of official weather forecasts and avoid crossing flooded roads or swollen rivers.

Heavy rainfall in Nairobi often exposes long-standing urban planning and infrastructure challenges. Flooded highways and stalled vehicles are common during peak rainfall hours, causing traffic gridlock across the city. Businesses also suffer losses when customers and workers are unable to move freely due to waterlogged streets.

Heavy rains and flooding also pose significant public health risks by contaminating water sources, disrupting sanitation systems, and creating conditions for disease outbreaks.

The State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards has issued a public health advisory encouraging residents to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation during the rainy season.

Standing water and poor waste disposal can encourage the spread of water-borne and vector-borne diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid fever, and Malaria. Health officials advise households to ensure drinking water is properly treated or boiled and to avoid consuming food prepared in unhygienic conditions.

The department has also urged county authorities to intensify garbage collection and clear blocked drainage systems to reduce flooding and prevent contamination of water sources. Residents are encouraged to dispose of waste responsibly and report blocked drains within their neighbourhoods.

Motorists and pedestrians are also advised to exercise caution during heavy rains. Reduced visibility, slippery roads, and hidden potholes significantly increase the risk of accidents. Public health officials recommend that commuters plan their travel early, avoid flooded routes, and keep emergency contacts readily available.

However, the challenges brought about by heavy rains should not become an opportunity for a blame game between politicians and residents. Instead, the recurring floods should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders to address the deeper issues affecting the city.

Nairobi’s infrastructure, drainage systems, and environmental management require long-term solutions and sustained investment.

At the same time, individual habits among residents often exacerbate an already difficult situation. The careless disposal of waste, blockage of drainage channels, and encroachment on riparian areas contribute significantly to flooding in many parts of the city. Addressing these problems will require both responsible leadership and active civic responsibility.

As the city grapples with the impact of these storms, it is also important to pause and acknowledge the human cost of the floods. Several families have tragically lost their loved ones during recent heavy rains. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to those mourning family members, friends, and neighbours whose lives have been cut short by these devastating events.

Their loss is a painful reminder that the consequences of flooding are not merely infrastructural or economic, but deeply personal and tragic.

Ultimately, while rainfall is essential for replenishing water sources and supporting agriculture across Kenya, the impact of intense urban storms highlights the need for improved preparedness.

Better drainage systems, coordinated emergency response, stronger environmental management, and community awareness will play a crucial role in minimising the damage caused by heavy rains.

For now, residents of Nairobi can only prepare and stay alert. As the old saying goes, when it rains in Nairobi, it truly thunders and pours—but with better planning, shared responsibility, and cooperation between leaders and citizens, the city can weather the storm.

Eliud Muriithi, Director Commercial Services, KEMSA

Eliud was overwhelmingly nominated the Star Person of the Year 2025 for Mental Health Advocacy