Severe flooding kills 62 in Kenya, as heavy rains continue

Severe flooding in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi, has resulted in at least 62 fatalities nationwide, with the death toll in Nairobi alone rising to 23, according to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. The heavy rains began on Saturday evening and have caused significant disruptions across the capital, leading to extensive damage, including approximately 12,000 homes reported as damaged or destroyed. The flooding has severely impacted traffic, necessitating emergency responses from rescue teams throughout the city. President William Ruto has activated a multi-agency response to address the crisis, emphasizing the government's commitment to mobilizing resources to assist affected communities. Rescue operations have been initiated, including the overnight rescue of eleven individuals from a minibus taxi that became stuck in rising floodwaters in Nairobi. The situation has prompted urgent action from authorities to mitigate the impact of the floods on lives and livelihoods. In addition to the loss of life and property, the heavy rains have disrupted flights at Kenyatta International Airport, with several Kenya Airways flights being diverted to Mombasa due to adverse weather conditions. Roads in Nairobi are submerged, further complicating the response efforts and affecting transportation in the area. The government continues to monitor the situation closely and provide assistance to those impacted by the flooding.