Heavy rains have brought Nairobi to a standstill, with widespread flooding causing severe traffic congestion and leaving commuters stranded across key parts of the city. The Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of intense rainfall, exceeding 20mm in 24 hours, expected to continue across several parts of the country from March 3-9, 2026 ¹.
The worst-affected areas include Uhuru Park, Mombasa Road, Parklands, and Mbagathi Way, with water levels rising rapidly and making movement difficult for pedestrians and motorists. In low-lying areas, residents are wading through ankle-to-knee-deep water, attempting to navigate flooded streets. Several vehicles are forced to stop mid-route, while public transport operators struggle to reach passengers.
The military’s Rapid Response Unit has been mobilized to support emergency operations, conducting traffic control and towing stalled vehicles. The unit facilitated the towing of five vehicles at the Kariokor-Ring Road roundabout and set up additional traffic management at Mbagathi Roundabout.
Government Response
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes CS Geoffrey Ruku has announced an emergency coordination meeting on Saturday morning, bringing together key national disaster response agencies. The meeting aims to accelerate response measures and strengthen coordination among emergency agencies ².
Safety Advisory
Authorities urge residents to avoid driving or walking through moving water or open fields and to refrain from taking shelter under trees or near grilled windows to reduce the risk of lightning strikes. The Kenya Meteorological Department warns that floodwaters can appear even in areas that have not experienced heavy local rainfall, particularly downstream ¹.
The situation is expected to worsen, with the Kenya Meteorological Department forecasting continued heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines.
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