A heavy downpour on Sunday evening left several streets in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) inundated, disrupting transport and prompting emergency responses across the city. Motorists and pedestrians alike were caught off guard by the sudden deluge, with multiple vehicles reported stalled or swept away by the fast-moving floodwaters, particularly along Mama Ngina Street.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as drivers abandoned vehicles and commuters waded through knee-deep water. Businesses in low-lying areas were forced to close early, and public transport services were delayed or rerouted due to impassable roads.
“It was like a river flowing through the middle of town,” said James Mwangi, a matatu driver who operates in the CBD. “I’ve seen floods before, but this was different. Even our vehicle was almost carried away.”
In response to the flash flooding, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced that the county government will begin forceful evictions in flood-prone informal settlements and riparian areas. The move is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the recurring impacts of seasonal rains on the capital’s infrastructure and vulnerable populations.
“We cannot continue losing lives and property every time it rains,” Governor Sakaja stated during a press briefing on Monday morning. “Evictions will target areas where construction has taken place on waterways and drainage paths. We will act decisively.”
The governor’s announcement is expected to spark debate, as previous eviction efforts have drawn criticism from human rights organizations and local residents for lacking adequate resettlement plans.
Experts say the flooding is exacerbated by unregulated urban development and poor drainage infrastructure. Environmentalists have also raised concerns about Nairobi’s diminishing green spaces, which historically helped absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
As cleanup operations begin, city officials are urging residents to stay vigilant and avoid flood-prone zones during heavy rains. The Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall in the coming days.
