Burst and blocked sewers, pot-holed roads, clogged drainage and flooding are plaguing Nairobi as heavy rains continue to pound the city.
A spot check by the Star yesterday revealed that several roads, including Tom Mboya, Ronald Ngala and River Road in the CBD have potholes, slowing down the movement of vehicles, causing traffic congestion.
John Osogo Road in Dandora, leading to the city's only dumpsite, has been washed away by the downpour hindering accessibility of the waste-yard.
Juja, Komarok and Jogoo roads have also been destroyed by the rains. South C, South B, Nairobi West and Lang'ata estates are some of the areas worst hit by the downpour.
Nairobi West MCA Maurice Gari said the frequent flooding experienced in the area when it rains has reduced since December, when the county unclogged and rehabilitated drainage systems.
"We still experience floods but it is not as bad as it used to be. I still have sleepiness nights because of these buildings constructed on wetlands. They are worrying me," he said.
Motorists have been at pains as their vehicles are submerged while others spend nights out in the cold because of heavy traffic snarl-ups whenever it rains.
Transport executive Mohamed Abdullahi said the county will continue clearing blocked drainage. "The problem is that we inherited old infrastructure that was meant to serve a smaller population," he said.
Abdullahi said some destroyed roads have been budgeted for. He cited John Osogo Road, which he said has been allocated Sh200 million and tender awarded to the contractor.
But residents who spoke to the Star blamed the county government for neglecting the roads. "The rains found these roads in these bad states. There should be a routine maintenance. We are blaming rains for nothing,"
resident Cornelius Njau said.
On April 29, a perimeter wall collapsed on Lenana Road and killed four people. On the same day, a building, constructed close to Nairobi River collapsed in Huruma estate, killing 51 tenants.
Meanwhile, three pupils were washed away by flash floods in Kangemi yesterday. By press time, one body had been retrieved as the search for the others continued.