Nairobi streets turn to filthy rivers as rain pounds city, vehicles nearly submerged

The downpour, which began earlier in the evening, quickly overwhelmed drainage systems in several neighbourhoods including Nairobi West, South C and South B, where roads were submerged under rising water levels.

Motorists along Uhuru Highway were among the hardest hit, with dramatic scenes showing vehicles nearly submerged as floodwaters engulfed sections of the busy roadway.

Flooding was also reported in Kilimani and parts of the central business district, where heavy runoff turned streets into streams, slowing movement and forcing some drivers to abandon flooded routes.

Floods havoc in Nairobi

Heavy rains on Friday evening trigger flooding
Motorists stranded, homes submerged in Nairobi #CitizenFridayNight pic.twitter.com/qFQeaJAgem

In several areas, commuters were forced to disembark from public service vehicles and wade through the flooded streets as traffic ground to a halt.

Residents in South C also reported water entering homes after drainage systems failed to cope with the sudden surge of rainwater.

The flooding has sparked frustration among city residents, many of whom took to social media to blame the Nairobi City County Government for what they described as persistent drainage failures in the capital.

Critics argued that blocked drains, uncollected garbage and rapid urban development without adequate infrastructure have left the city vulnerable to flooding whenever heavy rains fall.