Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has been plunged into chaos as deadly floods wreak havoc, claiming at least 10 lives and displacing thousands.
The relentless downpours, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, have transformed roads into raging rivers and inundated homes with waist-high muddy waters.
The city’s streets resembled waterways as vehicles struggled through the deluge, with residents wading through floodwaters in slum areas and seeking safety.
An estimated 60,000 people are severely affected, predominantly women and children, as the scale of the disaster grew profound.
Authorities from the Nairobi county governor’s office have declared a state of emergency as they grapple with the crisis.
The Kenya Meteorological Department issued a dire warning, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country until May, heightening fears of further devastation.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday as frustrated residents blocked a major highway, demanding urgent government intervention. Police were forced to intervene, dispersing crowds with tear gas.
Kenya Railways announced the temporary suspension of commuter train services, while several roads in the capital were partially closed due to flooding.
In the sprawling slum of Mathare, homes were swallowed by floodwaters, forcing residents onto rooftops in a desperate bid to save themselves and their belongings.
The Red Cross reported that the Athi River, Kenya’s second-longest river, burst its banks, cutting off roads and leaving residents stranded.
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Central Nairobi, home to key government institutions, was also severely impacted, with fallen trees blocking main avenues. Meanwhile, in neighboring countries, the situation remained dire as at the time the news was gathered.
Nearly 100,000 people have so far been displaced in Burundi with a death toll of at least 58 in Tanzania.
The devastation caused by El Nino underscores the vulnerability of East Africa to climate shocks, exacerbating an already precarious situation in a region grappling with repeated environmental crises.
