NAIROBI, March 9, 2026 — Severe flooding triggered by torrential rains has left 42 people dead and more than 50,000 homeless across Kenya, with the capital Nairobi recording the highest number of fatalities.
According to Public Health Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, the death toll was confirmed on Sunday following an assessment conducted by a multi-agency emergency response team.
Nairobi Hardest Hit
Officials reported that Nairobi City County accounted for 26 of the 42 deaths, including 21 adult men, three adult women, and three boys. Rescue teams continue search operations in areas where floodwaters swept away vehicles and submerged homes.
In the Eastern region, authorities confirmed 10 deaths, with eight in Makueni County and two children in Kitui County.
The Rift Valley region reported four fatalities across Narok and Kajiado counties, while one child died in Mombasa on the coast and another in Homabay County in the Nyanza region.
“In total, 42 deaths have been reported and confirmed by the National Police Service as of the morning of March 8, 2026,” Ruku said.
Search and recovery operations are ongoing, with police working alongside volunteers from the Kenya Red Cross Society to retrieve victims and assist affected families.
Injuries and Missing Persons
Authorities reported that 207 people were injured during the floods. The majority of injuries—200 cases—were recorded in Migori County, while Nairobi reported five injuries. Taita Taveta, Narok, and Samburu counties each reported one injured person.
Nine people remain missing, including five from Nairobi, two from Narok, and one each from Baringo and Makueni counties.
Government officials said the Multi-agency Emergency and Response Secretariat is coordinating with hospitals nationwide to track injured victims and facilitate payment of their medical bills under a presidential directive.
Homes Destroyed and Agriculture Impacted
The assessment revealed that more than 50,000 people have been displaced, after rising floodwaters submerged or destroyed homes across several regions.
Flooding also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, and other national infrastructure, disrupting transport and economic activity in affected areas.
The disaster has also hit the agricultural sector, with officials reporting that more than 607 livestock animals have died in counties including Tana River, Makueni, Migori, and Nairobi.
Weather Warnings Remain in Effect
Ruku urged residents to remain vigilant and follow guidance issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department, which had warned of heavy rains earlier in the month.
“Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of the country,” he said. “Members of the public are therefore advised to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures, particularly in flood-prone areas.”
Emergency teams remain deployed nationwide as the government continues rescue operations, provides humanitarian assistance to displaced families, and assesses the full scale of the damage caused by the ongoing rains.
