Residents of Nairobi woke up to flooded streets and heavy traffic snarl-ups on Saturday morning, October 4, after a night of relentless rains.
The downpour, which began late Friday evening, left several parts of the city submerged and paralyzed movement across major roads, including sections of the Central Business District (CBD) and the Nairobi Expressway.
Motorists and pedestrians were forced to navigate through deep pools of water, with many reporting long delays. “I spent almost two hours stuck near Nyayo Stadium because the water was too deep to move,” said James Mwangi, a matatu driver. “The drainage here just can’t handle the rain.”
The flooding caused traffic tailbacks that lasted for hours on key routes, worsening the city’s already congested road situation. Areas around South B, Industrial Area, and parts of Eastlands were among the most affected, with low-lying estates recording significant waterlogging.
Nairobi County’s Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, called on residents to take shared responsibility in maintaining drainage systems. He urged Nairobians to clear blocked drains near their homes and businesses, saying poor waste disposal often clogs the city’s drainage network.
“Mvua kidogo tu na nimeanza kupata strays from all corners,” Mosiria lamented, noting that while the county continues to work on drainage solutions, residents also contribute to the problem by dumping waste into waterways. His comments sparked debate, with many city dwellers blaming the county government for failing to provide sustainable drainage infrastructure.
The flooding followed a heavy rainfall advisory issued by the Kenya Meteorological Department. The department had warned of intensified downpours between October 3 and October 5 across several parts of the country.
Rainfall amounts were expected to exceed 20mm within 24 hours in regions such as the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, and the Highlands west of the Rift Valley, before spreading eastwards to Nairobi.
The advisory also cautioned that the rains would be accompanied by strong winds, urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant.
Officials warned that flash floods could occur even in places that did not experience local downpours due to water flowing downstream.
Nairobians have expressed growing frustration with recurring floods whenever heavy rains hit, pointing to a long-standing drainage crisis in the city.
As rains continue through the weekend, residents have been urged to stay safe, avoid flooded roads, and follow updates from the Meteorological Department.
