At least 42 people have been killed and widespread damage reported after days of heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding across Kenya, authorities said on Monday. The national death toll, nearly double earlier estimates, reflects the toll of flash floods that inundated low‑lying neighbourhoods, swept away vehicles and disrupted daily life in Nairobi and other regions.
Intense rains that began on Friday overwhelmed drainage systems in the capital and other counties, leading to widespread inundation of homes and roads and forcing emergency responders to carry out search and rescue missions. In Nairobi alone, 26 deaths were recorded, many from drowning after floodwaters overflowed riverbanks. Other fatalities were reported in Eastern, Rift Valley, Coast and Nyanza regions.
Emergency teams, including military units and humanitarian agencies, remain deployed as officials work to retrieve bodies and assist affected communities. 172 vehicles that had been swept away by floodwaters were recovered, and teams continue to evacuate stranded residents.
President William Ruto has ordered the release of relief food from national reserves to support displaced families and directed that medical and burial costs for flood victims be covered by the government. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as recovery efforts continue.
The flooding has also caused significant infrastructure damage, disrupted transport networks and affected livelihoods across multiple counties. Experts warn that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense rainfall events in East Africa, increasing the risk of destructive floods during the long rains season.