The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed that the death toll from the heavy rains that hit Nairobi on Friday night has risen to 23, after 13 more bodies were recovered by Saturday afternoon.
In a statement issued by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the service said the ongoing torrential rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of the capital, leading to fatalities, displacement of residents and widespread destruction of property.
“The torrential rains have led to significant flooding, unfortunately resulting in 23 fatalities so far, the destruction of property, road closures, and the displacement of residents,” the statement read.
Police indicated that preliminary security and emergency assessments show several neighbourhoods have been heavily affected by the floods.
Among the worst-hit areas are Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, South B, South C, Pipeline in Embakasi, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai and parts of Westlands.
The flooding has also disrupted transport on major roads within the city. Authorities reported that sections of Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, Thika Superhighway, Jogoo Road, Enterprise Road and Lang’ata Road have been affected by the flooding.
Emergency teams continue to monitor the situation as assessments of the damage and rescue efforts progress across affected areas.
