Heavy Rainfall Exposes Nairobi's Poor Drainage System

Saturday morning saw Nairobi city residents and traders tallying up their losses in the aftermath of Friday's heavy downpour which caused widespread devastation.

On Friday afternoon, a relentless rainstorm lasting three hours exposed the deteriorating state of the city's drainage system, turning it into a fierce battleground against nature. No dwelling or establishment was exempt from the forceful intrusion of rainwater. The unexpected downpour took residents by surprise, as they were accustomed to sporadic showers. The ensuing mayhem witnessed vehicles either being swept away or submerged beneath the rising waters.

The city buses, once powerful symbols of effectiveness, sat helpless amidst the churning rapids, their engines muted by the unyielding downpour. The magnitude of the destruction is yet to be established, as the Kenya Meteorology Department has cautioned that the torrential rains will persist for another week. Collaborating with the Red Cross, Nairobi County's Disaster Management and Coordination team is presently evaluating the situation to ascertain the complete repercussions of the rainfall.

In the Mashimoni area of Kibera, it has been reported that a child was swept away. As the aftermath of the flooding remained visible on Saturday morning, community members diligently cleaned their homes while market vendors rearranged their merchandise. Additionally, the county has faced a multitude of critiques from different sources regarding its inadequate preparation. One individual had voiced his concern through X, conveying uncertainty about whether the rainfall was truly caused by El Nino, attributing the flooding in Nairobi's central business district to the ineffective drainage system.

According to Dr Bernard Chanzu, the deputy director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, there are over 30 counties that are expected to experience rainfall this month. The rain will occur intermittently and is predicted to begin early in the month. These counties include various areas in western Kenya, particularly those around the Lake Victoria basin, as well as the southern Rift Valley and the southeastern lowlands. Additionally, the highlands east of the Rift Valley and the coastal region will also receive rainfall.