At least 62 people have died in Kenya over the past week after heavy rains triggered severe flooding, authorities say. The death toll, updated from 42 a week ago, highlights the growing impact of the torrential downpours.
In Nairobi, the capital, 11 people were rescued overnight after a minibus taxi, locally known as a matatu, became trapped in rising waters, while two children were saved from a flooded home, the Kenya Red Cross reported.
The heavy rainfall, described as the worst in years, has caused rivers to burst their banks, flooding homes and damaging roads, power lines, and water infrastructure. Some bridges in Nairobi have collapsed, forcing road closures, and several schools have also been inundated.
The Interior Ministry warned on Sunday that heavy rains were expected to continue across different parts of the country, increasing the risk of further flooding. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safer ground, and more than 2,000 people have already sought shelter.
Police confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing following the “torrential rain and subsequent devastating flooding affecting various parts of the country.”
More than half of the deaths—33—have been reported in Nairobi, where poor drainage and the obstruction of rivers caused by unregulated development have worsened the impact of the floods.
President William Ruto said emergency food supplies and medical assistance were being delivered to affected communities. He also noted that authorities were working to clear blocked drainage systems to reduce further damage.
The flooding crisis is not limited to Kenya. In neighbouring Ethiopia, more than 100 people have died in the south of the country due to floods and landslides.
Experts warn that while multiple factors contribute to flooding, climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall. The planet has already warmed by about 1.1°C since the industrial era, and temperatures are expected to continue rising unless governments take substantial action to reduce emissions.
