Sifuna appeals for state help as floods wreak havoc in Nairobi

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called on the national government to help in mitigating the impact of floods in Nairobi.

This comes even as the heavy rains that have continued to pound the country rendered many roads impassable.

The heavy rains pounding the City have affected both the movement of vehicles and human traffic.

Sifuna through his X handle said even though the county government has put in effort to deal with the floods, the situation requires a national emergency response.

"The situation in Nairobi has escalated to extreme levels. The County Government for all its efforts is overwhelmed," Sifuna said.

"We need all national emergency services mobilised to save lives." 

The rains which have been pouring have led to the displacement of hundreds of residents, with those living in the informal settlements being the worst hit.

The Kenya Red Cross in a statement on Wednesday said the heavy rainfall received on Tuesday night has led to flash floods in various estates across the city.

The worst hit include Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, Umoja 3, Choka, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Githurai, Kahawa, Eastern Bypass, Kinoo, Kijabe, Limuru, Ruiru, Graceland, Joska, Kaswito, Kicheko, Mangili, Kenyatta Road, Juja, Kitengela, and Magadi.

"The Athi River has also burst its banks, accelerating the impacts. Roads and bridges are affected, leading to heavy traffic on major roads," Kenya Red Cross said.

A team from the Nairobi Red Cross Branch has been dispatched to conduct assessments in most of the affected areas and, if needed, initiate search and rescue operations.

According to the Red Cross, 18 people were on Wednesday morning rescued in Mradi, Mathare 4A.

The 18, including 11 adults and seven children, were stranded due to floodwaters caused by heavy rains last night in Nairobi.

"The rainfall affected numerous areas throughout the city. Other life-saving interventions are ongoing in other parts of the country," KRC said.

Meanwhile, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has called on Kenyans to exercise caution as they go about their businesses.

The heavy rains have rendered some sections of Thika Superhighway impassable.

KeNHA) said the situation has caused traffic disruptions. Sections of Mombasa Road have also been affected by the floods.