UoN hostels flooded as heavy rains pound Nairobi

Flooded hostels at UoN following March 14, 2026, heavy rains in Nairobi / Screengrab

Students at the University of Nairobi were forced to wade through floodwaters on Saturday night after heavy rains flooded several hostels within the institution.

Videos shared widely on social media showed water flowing through hostel corridors and into student rooms, leaving some learners stranded on their beds as they watched their belongings soak in the rising water.

In several clips, students could be seen cautiously moving through the flooded hallways as they attempted to reach safer areas within the hostels.

The flooding followed hours of heavy rainfall that hit large parts of Nairobi on Saturday night, overwhelming drainage systems in some areas.

On Sunday morning, President William Ruto said the government had mobilised resources to respond to the ongoing floods affecting several parts of the country.

“The ongoing heavy rains affecting several parts of our country continue to put lives and livelihoods at risk. My thoughts are with the families and communities that have already been affected during this difficult period,” the President said.

He noted that the government had activated a multi-agency response, bringing together emergency services, security agencies, humanitarian teams, and technical departments to coordinate flood response efforts in Nairobi and across the country.

According to the president, relevant agencies are already assisting with rescue and evacuation operations while also working to clear blocked drainage systems and restore access routes in affected areas.

The national government is also coordinating with county governments to ensure the safety of residents as heavy rains continue.

Emergency food supplies and medical assistance, he said, are being delivered to people affected by the floods.

Ruto urged Kenyans to follow safety advisories issued by authorities, including the Kenya Meteorological Department and the police, as the situation continues to be monitored.

“The government will continue to take every necessary step to safeguard lives, support affected communities, and ensure that no Kenyan faces this challenge alone,” he said.

Heavy rainfall pounding Nairobi caused widespread flooding in several parts of the city Saturday night, disrupting transport and prompting rescue operations.

Officials said at least 11 people were rescued in the chaos.

Areas affected by flooding include Parklands, the Central Business District (CBD), Ngong Road around the Ngando area, Lower Kabete, Kibera, Kilimani, South B, Kawangware, Lang’ata, Lavington, Eastleigh, and Riruta.

Major traffic disruptions have been reported along several key roads, including the Nairobi Expressway at the Museum Hill exit, Limuru Road, Bunyala Road, Lusaka Road, and parts of the CBD, as floodwaters made sections of the roads impassable.

Authorities also reported that both the Nairobi River and the Ngong River have overflowed their banks, triggering riverine flooding in nearby settlements.