Nairobi Flood Death Toll Climbs to 23 as More Bodies Recovered, Police Report
The National Police Service (NPS) has updated the casualty figure from Nairobi's devastating flash floods, announcing that the death toll has risen to 23 following the recovery of 13 additional bodies by Saturday afternoon.
NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga issued a statement confirming the increase, attributing the fatalities to severe flooding triggered by intense overnight rains that overwhelmed the capital's inadequate drainage infrastructure. The tragedy has also led to widespread property damage, road blockages, and the displacement of numerous residents across the city.
Hardest-hit neighborhoods include Mukuru, Kibra, Mathare, Huruma, South B and C, Pipeline/Embakasi, Roysambu, Kahawa West, Githurai, and sections of Westlands, where floodwaters submerged homes, businesses, and vehicles. Major thoroughfares such as Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, Thika Superhighway, Jogoo Road, Enterprise Road, and Lang’ata Road faced closures due to the inundation, exacerbating transport chaos and stranding motorists for extended periods. While earlier reports cited lower figures around 10 deaths, the latest NPS tally reflects ongoing search and recovery operations amid the aftermath.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage through security and emergency evaluations, with warnings that the number of fatalities could potentially rise further as teams comb affected zones. The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued related alerts for persistent heavy rainfall in Nairobi and surrounding areas, heightening the risk of additional flooding. Residents are advised to remain cautious, avoid flooded routes, and cooperate with rescue personnel as efforts to support displaced individuals and restore normalcy intensify.
