Sections of Nairobi roads closed, traffic flow disrupted after heavy overnight rains

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has issued a public notice following heavy rains that pounded Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

On Tuesday, the authority announced that several major roads have been heavily affected, necessitating partial closures for the safety of motorists.

The affected roads include Enterprise Road, Eastern Bypass, and Thika Bypass, where flooding and waterlogging have rendered sections impassable.

In response to the situation, both traffic police and KURA's technical team have been deployed on the ground to direct traffic and ensure the safety of motorists navigating through the affected areas.

As a result, KURA has advised motorists to exercise caution, adhere to traffic instructions provided by law enforcement officers, and avoid attempting to cross flooded sections of the affected roads.

"We shall keep you posted as the situation unfolds. Please drive safely and don't attempt to cross flooded sections," KURA said.

An aerial view of a flooded Thika Road between Kahawa Sukari and Kenyatta University on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Crispus Alex)

Heavy rains pounded the city all through Tuesday night until early Wednesday morning.

Lang'ata Road, usually bustling with traffic near T-Mall was a no-go zone as floodwaters surged, partially closing the road and trapping unsuspecting commuters.

With determination etched on their faces, commuters braved the knee-high waters, wading through the flood to reach their destinations.

Some carried umbrellas, futile against the relentless downpour, while others trudged on, resigned to the inevitability of the flooded streets.

The situation was not different along Jogoo Road where various sections also remained flooded.

Raila Odinga Road formerly Mbagathi Road faced a similar fate.

The water overflowed onto the road, rendering it almost impassable in some sections. Vehicles struggled to navigate through the deep waters, their engines sputtering as they pushed forward.

Flood Alert: Mbagathi Road in Nairobi flooded up to T-Mall.

🎥 By Charity Kilei pic.twitter.com/fzcGRKBle9

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 1, 2024

Thika Road, a lifeline connecting Nairobi to its northern suburbs, was submerged near Kahawa Sukari, posing a daunting challenge to motorists and bodaboda riders alike.

Despite the risks, some dared to venture through the floodwaters, desperate to reach their destinations.

Along Mukenia Road, near Mater Hospital, the Nairobi River surged with unprecedented force, its water levels rising perilously close to surpassing the level of the bridge.

Traffic flow along Juja Super was also disrupted after a section of the highway was submerged by water.

The most affected area was the Thika bound on the underpass of the Juja Flyover area.

A view of Thika Road between Kahawa Sukari and Kenyatta University on May 1, 2024. (Photo: Crispus Alex)

Motorists were advised to use the Service lane to gain access to the highway past the High Point area.

We appeal to motorists to exercise due caution when using the Juja Super Highway.

The Kenya National Highways Authority has also closed the Athi River - Namanga Road (A2) at the Kimalat area.

This follows flooding occasioned by an overnight heavy downpour that led River Kimalat to burst its banks.

The road agency in a notice also cautioned that alternative routes through earth roads were equally flooded.

“The Authority cautions road users against any attempts to use these affected areas in the interest of their safety,” reads the notice.

Elsewhere, six people were rescued Wednesday morning after floods inundated homesteads in Kitengela, Kajiado County, following the heavy downpour.

In a morning update, the Kenya Red Cross reported that search efforts were ongoing for additional individuals in areas including Deliverance Road, Balozi Road, Baraka Road, Blessed Court, New Valley, Changombe, and KAG.

FLOODS UPDATE: 6 people in Kitengela, Kajiado county have been rescued & efforts to reach others continue following heavy rains last night that resulted to flooding
🎥:@KenyaRedCross pic.twitter.com/qCAjhouJb6

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 1, 2024

The rescue operation commenced around 4 am, with footage released by the humanitarian organisation showing clips of homes submerged in floodwaters.

Rescue teams waded into the compounds while others navigated through the heavily flooded estates in boats to reach those in need of assistance.

"We are currently on the ground assisting families to move to safety in Kitengela, Kajiado County, following heavy rainfall," the Kenya Red Cross said in a tweet at 4:54 am.

This comes as several parts of the country will continue to receive heavy rainfall this week, the weatherman has warned.

Kenya Meteorological Department in its latest update covering the period from April 30 to May 6 further warned that some parts of the country might experience mudslides.

According to the weatherman, heavy rainfall is expected in some parts of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-eastern lowlands, North-western and North-eastern Kenya.

The areas to be affected include Nairobi, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Wajir, Garissa, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Narok, Nakuru, Trans-Nzoia and Uasin-Gishu.

Coastal counties of Mombasa, Tana-River, Kilifi, Lamu and Kwale are predicted to have sunny intervals during the day and partly cloudy nights.