Over 8,200 people in Kamukunji displaced by heavy downpour 

More than 8,200 people residing in slums in Kamukunji, Nairobi, endured a cold night after their homes were swept away by flash floods and their livelihoods shattered.

According to Kamukunji Sub-County Commissioner James Kamau, this is one of the worst disasters to have hit Kamukunji in recent years. Kamau, whose officials have been on the ground since early Monday morning assessing the situation, estimated that 8,200 people in Kamukunji have been severely affected by the flash floods.

While many parts of Kamukunji experienced flash floods, the most significant impacts were seen in informal settlement areas along the Nairobi River in Majengo and Kitui Village in Pumwani, Kinyago and Kanuku in California Ward, and Mugunda in Eastleigh South.

Hundreds of individuals have lost everything they own and have been left homeless. These communities, already highly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters due to their precarious conditions, have been disproportionately affected.

The disaster has rendered many areas inaccessible and unsafe, disrupting normal life routines, including the ability of children to attend school. 

The aftermath of heavy rains in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on the night of March 24, 2024. (Photo: Hanifa Adan)

With streets submerged in water and mud and infrastructure compromised, families are facing significant challenges in ensuring the safety and education of their children. The embattled families slept outside, trying to salvage what was left of their homes. 

Jennifer Nduku, a resident of Kinyago, finds herself in a distressing situation. Speaking to the Eastleigh Voice, she recounts, "I have been sitting here since last night with my children because we do not have anywhere else to go.”

“The heavy downpour that occurred yesterday wreaked havoc on our home, leaving it severely damaged. Everything in our house was affected, and we could hardly salvage anything," she laments, highlighting the extent of the devastation caused by the relentless rain.

Damaris Anyago added that the rain started at 9 pm and she thought it was the normal downpour until she started hearing her neighbours screaming. 

"We were going to sleep when it started to rain and a disaster followed. In no time, our homes started flooding and our belongings were carried away. We ran for our lives and left everything behind. By the time we came back for them in the morning, there was nothing left. Our clothes and food are all gone and we have not eaten anything since yesterday since we have nowhere to cook or stay," she says, with sadness all over her face. 

Residents of Eastleigh, Nairobi, who were affected by heavy rains on the night of March 24, 2024. (Photo: Hanifa Adan)

Faith Muyasa, a mother of eight kids is staying at her friend's place with her children after her house was damaged by the floods. The situation is overwhelming for her and the host as well since she cannot be offered refuge for long. 

"The kids were sitting exams this week and were supposed to be at school but cannot go now since they do not have their clothes, uniforms, bags, shoes and books. They were all destroyed by the rain. We are homeless and with nothing left," Faith says agonisingly.

"I was woken up by the sounds of my utensils falling and when I looked up there was water all over the house. I panicked and the water started rising to my chest. I rushed outside where the rest of the neighbours were running around, the air engulfed in confusion and panic, trying to rescue their kids," Everlyne Atieno, an elderly woman in Mugunda slums, painfully recalls. 

Residents of the affected areas express deep dismay at the apparent slowness in response by humanitarian organisations, including the Red Cross. "No one has come to our aid, not even the Red Cross and it looks like it is going to rain again tonight," laments one of the victims, highlighting the profound sense of abandonment amidst their plight.

Following the relentless downpour last night, numerous neighbourhoods in Eastleigh are also struggling with the aftermath of flooding, aggravated by inadequate drainage systems. Residents cited the substandard infrastructure as a significant contributing factor to the disaster. 

The aftermath of heavy rain in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on the night of March 24, 2024. (Photo: Hanifa Adan)

Julius Muli, a caretaker overseeing one of the buildings in the area, shed light on an additional challenge faced by the community. He alleged that county officers worsen their plight by demanding payment before addressing drainage issues, further compounding the residents' difficulties in coping with the aftermath of the heavy rains.

"The county officers were here in the morning to unclog the sewage and they asked for money first which we usually give but they still didn't fix anything. They move around for a bit and leave the drainages worse than they found them," complains Muli.

The heavy downpour in Nairobi has so far claimed at least three people. Among the victims is a courageous police officer from Kamukunji Police Station, who lost his life while attempting to rescue individuals trapped by the floods. 

Reports indicate that the officer, after successfully rescuing four individuals trapped within a stall at County Bus Station, tragically met his demise when he fell into a manhole. He was swept away by the floods together with his AK-47. Two other people (boda boda riders) were killed by the floods in the Eastlands area of Nairobi.