At least 23 people have died after overnight flash floods swept through Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, leaving widespread destruction, authorities said on Saturday. Torrential rains triggered sudden flooding that submerged roads, swept away vehicles and disrupted flights at the country’s main international airport.
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Emergency teams and aid workers spent hours pulling bodies from floodwaters and debris across several neighbourhoods. The fast-rising waters also forced many residents to flee their homes as the Nairobi River burst its banks and overflowed into nearby communities.
Kenyan President William Ruto said emergency responders, including soldiers, had been deployed to assist with rescue operations and coordinate relief efforts. In a statement posted on social media, he expressed condolences to families affected by the disaster and said the government would immediately release relief food from national strategic reserves to support those displaced by the floods.
In the industrial area of Grogan, security guard John Lomayan described the moment he discovered the body of an elderly street vendor he recognised. The man, known locally for selling eggs by the roadside, had been swept away by floodwaters and was later found trapped beneath a car that had been carried downstream.
Bus driver John Mwai said he turned his vehicle into a rescue bus, helping residents escape rising waters by transporting them to safer, higher ground. The severe weather also affected air travel. Kenya Airways reported disruptions to flights into Nairobi, with some aircraft diverted to the coastal city of Mombasa due to heavy rain and poor visibility.
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Scientists have repeatedly warned that climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns in East Africa. Research has shown that global warming is increasing the likelihood of severe rainfall events by concentrating precipitation into shorter but more intense storms. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams continue to assess damage and search flooded areas.