20 people rescued after floodwaters trap them on Kirinyaga Road
By Ascah Mwango, March 7, 2026Twenty people have been rescued and moved to safety after flash floods hit parts of Nairobi’s Central Business District following heavy rains that have been pounding the city over the past few days.
In a statement shared on Saturday, March 7, 2026, the Kenya Red Cross said its first responders were forced to step in after people became stranded along Kirinyaga Road when floodwaters quickly rose, making the area difficult to navigate.
“As part of the flood response in Nairobi, Kenya Red Cross first responders rescued 20 people stranded along Kirinyaga Road and moved them to safety. Teams continue to monitor the situation and provide support to those affected,” the organisation said.
The rescue operation unfolded after heavy downpours turned several streets in Nairobi into what many residents jokingly described as temporary rivers. In some areas of the city centre, water pooled along roads and sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to roll up their trousers and wade through murky water as vehicles crawled slowly through flooded sections.
Across the capital, the ongoing rains have caused widespread flooding and disrupted transport. Several roads in the city, including parts of the Central Business District and surrounding neighbourhoods, have been submerged after drainage systems were overwhelmed by the intense rainfall.
Motorists have also been caught in long traffic snarls as floodwaters collect on major roads and underpasses, with authorities urging drivers to exercise caution and avoid driving through flooded sections.
The heavy rains are part of a wider weather pattern affecting large parts of the country. The Kenya Meteorological Department had earlier warned that several regions, including Nairobi and the central highlands, could experience rainfall exceeding 20 millimetres within 24 hours, raising the risk of flash floods.
The impact has already been felt beyond traffic disruptions. Recent reports indicate that flash floods across parts of Kenya have displaced hundreds of families and caused fatalities in some areas as rivers overflow and low-lying settlements become submerged.
Nairobi County authorities say emergency teams have been deployed to monitor affected areas and assist residents as the rains continue. Rescue agencies, including the Kenya Red Cross, have urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid walking or driving through fast-moving water, and move to safer ground if water levels begin to rise.