Ruai Bypass submerged as heavy rains paralyse Nairobi traffic

A section of the flooded road in Ruai./SCREENGRAB

Floodwaters cut off parts of the busy stretch, forcing motorists to halt movement as traffic ground to a standstill.

Residents in nearby neighbourhoods were also affected, with some wading through waist-deep water after their homes were flooded.

The situation worsened as rainfall continued into Tuesday morning, disrupting normal activities. 

"We woke up to find floods," one resident said.

The developments come after the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a warning of sustained rainfall across large parts of the country.

In its advisory covering April 27 to May 4, the agency projected ongoing rains over the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, including Nairobi, as well as the Rift Valley, Coast and Northeastern regions.

The weatherman cautioned that some areas could experience intense downpours, raising the risk of flash floods, rising river levels and poor visibility for motorists. It further warned that rivers may swell even in areas not directly receiving heavy rain.

Hilly and mountainous regions, particularly around the Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya, were flagged as being at heightened risk of landslides if the rains persist.

Motorists have been urged to exercise caution due to reduced visibility. At the same time, residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas have been advised to remain alert as the wet spell continues.

The department also warned against walking or driving through moving water, citing the dangers posed by fast-flowing floods, and cautioned against sheltering under trees or near grilled windows during storms due to the risk of lightning and debris.

Even as the rains pound several regions, the forecast indicates contrasting weather patterns, with daytime temperatures expected to exceed 30°C in the Coast, Southeastern lowlands, and parts of Northeastern and Northwestern Kenya.

At the same time, night-time temperatures are projected to drop below 10°C in parts of the Highlands East of the Rift Valley, the Central Rift Valley and areas near Mount Kilimanjaro.

In an earlier outlook, acting director Edward Muriuki warned that rainfall exceeding 20mm within 24 hours is likely across large parts of the country, with the heaviest downpours expected between April 26 and April 28.

Regions expected to bear the brunt include the Highlands, both east and west of the Rift Valley; the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley; the Southeastern lowlands, as well as Northwestern and Northeastern Kenya.

Counties on high alert include Turkana and Samburu, the Lake Victoria Basin counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisii and Kakamega, as well as Rift Valley counties such as Nakuru, Baringo and West Pokot.