Kenya: Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc in Nairobi Again

Heavy rainfall that began on Saturday evening has caused significant flooding in Nairobi, leading to disruptions in traffic and necessitating emergency responses from rescue teams throughout the city. The flooding has resulted in at least 23 fatalities in Nairobi alone, with the overall death toll across Kenya rising to at least 62, according to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. The ongoing severe weather has also caused extensive damage, with approximately 12,000 homes reported as damaged or destroyed across the country. The flooding has severely impacted transportation, with flights in and out of Kenyatta International Airport disrupted. Several Kenya Airways flights have been diverted to Mombasa due to adverse weather conditions. Roads in Nairobi have been submerged, complicating rescue efforts and further affecting mobility within the capital. Rescue operations have been initiated, including the overnight rescue of eleven individuals from a minibus taxi that became stuck in rising floodwaters. In response to the crisis, President William Ruto has activated a multi-agency response to address the severe flooding affecting various parts of Kenya. The government is mobilizing resources to assist those impacted by the floods and to mitigate the situation. Authorities continue to monitor the developments closely and provide necessary assistance to affected communities as the heavy rains persist.