Recent weeks have seen East Africa pounded by relentless rainfall, with the El Nino weather phenomenon exacerbating the seasonal downpours. The resulting storms and flash floods transformed roads into rushing rivers and inundated homes with waist-high muddy waters in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, claiming the lives of at least 10 individuals.
Vehicles found themselves stranded in the deluge, while residents in slum areas navigated through floodwaters to seek safety. Nairobi’s county governor’s office estimated that approximately 60,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have been severely impacted by the floods.
The Kenya Meteorological Department issued warnings of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall expected in various parts of the country until May. In one incident, police dispersed frustrated residents blocking a main highway, demanding government intervention over the floods.
Kenya Railways temporarily suspended commuter train services, and the roads authority reported partial closures of four roads in the capital. In the sprawling Nairobi slum of Mathare, homes were swallowed by floodwaters, forcing residents onto rooftops to safeguard their lives and possessions.
The Red Cross reported that the Athi River, Kenya’s second-longest river flowing south of Nairobi to the Indian Ocean, had overflowed its banks, obstructing roads and leaving residents stranded. Fallen trees blocked a major avenue in central Nairobi, where numerous government offices and the parliament are located.
In neighboring countries, nearly 100,000 individuals have been displaced in Burundi, with Tanzania reporting at least 58 casualties and several thousand left without shelter. The El Nino weather phenomenon frequently leads to devastating consequences in East Africa, compounding the challenges posed by recurrent climate crises.
According to the Nairobi county governor’s office, an estimated 60,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have been significantly impacted by the floods. The Kenya Meteorological Department issued warnings of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall expected in various parts of the country until May.
