Four people have been confirmed dead while over 60,000 residents were displaced by floods in different parts of Nairobi following the heavy rainfall in the city.

In a statement on Wednesday April 24, 2024, Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja explained that about 60,000 residents, mostly women and children, were severely affected by floods in the city.

“Unfortunately we have lost 4 lives, and the search is on to locate 6 others who have been reported missing. 

“The following areas have been adversely affected; Kibra, Lindi, Mathare 4A and Mathare North, Baba Dogo, Githurai and Zimmerman,” Sakaja noted.

Sakaja released a statement after touring different parts of Nairobi, such as Mathare, Utalii in Ruaraka area that were hardest hit by the rains.

“This morning together with Members of Parliament in Nairobi and local leadership toured several areas amongst them Mathare, Utalii in Ruaraka area which has been the hardest hit by the rains. 

“Our mission this morning was to see the extent of the flooding, to hear from some of the people affected, get a glimpse into the scale and scope of the response and interventions from the joint team provided by Nairobi county,” Sakaja explained. 

He added that several bridges in the city have been affected namely; Mathare NorthJohn Saga, Huruma – Gateway Bridge, Ngumba bridge , 4B near Utalii hotel, Ngomongo (it was swept away), Githathuru footbridge near police depot, Sara Ngombe footbridge.

The four bodies of suspected flood victims were retrieved from Mathare River following heavy rains witnessed in Nairobi on Tuesday.

According to Starehe Sub-county Police Commander Fred Abuga the victims include two men and two women.

The police boss further stated that six other people remain unaccounted for as a search operation continues in Mathare.

Meanwhile, the bursting of Ngong River banks affected many areas across the city especially downstream including the flooding of Mbagathi Roundabout, flooding in Ectoville Industrial Estate in Mukuru kwa Rueben Ward, and flooding in Mwiki Ward along Eastern bypass.

Most of the roads were also affected by the floods, disrupting traffic and human movement in the city. 

Various roads were affected including: Raila Odinga Road, Jogoo road, Enterprise road, Ole Odume and Langata Road junction (near T-Mall), Langata south road, Eastern bypass, Kenyatta avenue that flooded due to huge volumes of water as a result of Ngong River bursting its banks. 

Other roads affected include Ojijo Road, Uhuru Highway and Mombasa Road.