Nairobi, March 22, 2026 – Residents living downstream of Nairobi Dam have been placed on high alert due to rising water levels, prompting concerns over a potential flood disaster.
The Water Resources Authority (WRA) has issued a precautionary notice urging residents in at-risk areas to relocate immediately.
Heavy rainfall in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya has caused the dam’s water levels to climb to dangerous heights. Areas identified as at risk include Kibera, Highrise, Lang’ata, South C, Mbagathi Way, and Madaraka.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja joined the WRA in calling for urgent relocation measures. “We must make tough decisions, and those decisions are for our safety. My brothers from Kibra, you know what happens along Ngong River. I am concerned about Nairobi Dam. If it were to burst today, lives would be lost. People must move,” he stated, urging residents to heed the warning.
Governor Sakaja cautioned politicians against politicizing the situation, noting that nationwide flood fatalities have already reached 83. “Projects such as the Nairobi Regeneration Program, which opens up the river, are crucial. We are asking people to leave riparian land for their safety,” he added.
The impact of the ongoing heavy rains is being felt across the country. In Baringo County, landslides in Kasaka and Kabarkebo villages claimed the lives of a woman and a four-year-old child, bringing the national death toll to 83. Residents described the terrifying events, with some comparing the roar of the landslide to an earthquake.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance among residents living in flood-prone areas. Joseph Makilap, MP for Baringo North, reported that four houses have been affected and certain roads are impassable. Sub-County Commander Robert Odongo urged residents to move to safer grounds, especially at night when the risk of disaster is higher.
The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts continued heavy rainfall exceeding 20mm in 24 hours across several parts of the country until Tuesday, heightening the urgency for precautionary measures.
