Trapped by rains: Nairobi’s flood victims face another season of uncertainty

Vyizigiro Celestine still remembers the fear that gripped him last year. He stood for hours, eyes fixed on the rising waters, unable to sleep and afraid that at any moment, the floods would sweep him away.

The relentless March-May rains had turned his home into a nightmare, the water creeping in and swallowing everything he owned.

Then came the demolitions — meant to push people to safety.

But months later, many, like Vyizigiro, are still here. Some live in half-demolished houses, others in makeshift shelters, patching things up as best as they can, hoping for the best. Moving is not just about safety — it is about affordability, and that is where the struggle begins.

"I tried looking for a house, but so was everyone else. Prices shot up, and I simply couldn’t find anything within my budget. So, I stayed," he says, his voice laced with resignation.

As the rainy season looms once again, fear lingers in the air. Will the floods return? Will they be worse? Yet, for Vyizigiro, moving is not an option.

"Around here, rent is about Sh2,500-3500. That, I can manage. But if you ask me to move somewhere more expensive, with no stable job and only menial work to depend on, where would I go?"

For now, he has no plan. No savings to help him relocate, no certainty about what’s coming. All he can do is hope that this time the rains will be kind.

Riparian land

Many still reside on riparian land, raising concerns about their preparedness and what measures, if any, have been put in place to prevent a repeat of last year’s disaster.

For the past three years, Agnes Mueni has called Kitui village in Kamukunji Constituency her home. But nothing could have prepared her for the devastation she witnessed last year.

Now she sits by the calm Nairobi River, her eyes fixed on the widening waters — once a river, swollen and choked with trash and debris. It was both the reason for their displacement and the cause of the demolitions that followed.

"We don’t know where to turn for help; we are trusting and hoping that God will see us through because relying on the government feels hopeless."

Although her house was spared from the demolitions, last year’s surging floodwaters came dangerously close, a terrifying reminder of how vulnerable they remain. With the rainy season approaching, fear creeps in once again — what if the waters rise higher this time?

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• floods
• Demolitions
• Nairobi floods
• kitui village
• rains
• Riparian land
• nairobi slums
• rainy season
• March-May rains
• Trapped by rains: Nairobi’s flood victims face another season of uncertainty
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Find permanent solution

"Moving away from the only place you can afford isn’t easy," she admits. "If a permanent solution could be found, it would make all the difference."

Losike Lillian has faced the nightmare of her home flooding three times during last year’s heavy rains. The trees she now sits under were once swallowed by the rising waters, putting her family at risk and sweeping away their belongings. Yet she still remains in the same house.

"What we went through was terrible," she says. "Everything was underwater. My home flooded three times — we couldn’t sleep. We had to leave and stay in schools and other people’s homes."

With the rainy season approaching again, she worries about what might happen, but moving isn’t an easy option.

Despite their concerns, those still living near riparian land have made no preparations for potential uncertainties. Some have no plans to relocate, choosing instead to face whatever challenges arise head-on.

In various parts of Nairobi, including Mathare, Kibra, Majengo and Kiambiu, informal settlements along riparian land experienced some of the worst devastation during last year’s floods.

In Kamukunji Constituency alone, more than 8,200 people were displaced as their homes were submerged. While flash floods impacted different parts of the area, the most severe destruction occurred in informal settlements along the Nairobi River, including Majengo and Kitui village in Pumwani, as well as Kinyago and Kanuku in California Ward and Mugunda in Eastleigh South.

Grim picture

The 2024 Kenya Red Cross flood operations report paints a grim picture of the disaster’s impact.

Between March and May last year, floods claimed 294 lives across the country and forced approximately 55,000 households from their homes. The devastation extended beyond human displacement — 11,000 heads of livestock were lost, and 65,000 acres of farmland were destroyed, severely affecting food production and livelihoods. Nairobi County suffered the most, bearing the heaviest toll of the disaster.

The latest forecast from the Meteorological Department indicates that the long rains season is expected to begin between the second and third week of March, with rainfall projected to be near to above the long-term average for the month.

According to the weatherman, Nairobi, Kiambu, Embu, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties will be among the regions expected to experience the rains.

A short dry spell may follow the onset of the rains.

Other counties expected to experience similar weather patterns include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Nandi, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma and Busia.

The forecast also highlights that the south eastern lowlands, including Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Kajiado and Taita Taveta will receive rainfall within the same period.

Drainage challenges

Nairobi County continues to struggle with challenges brought by heavy downpours, affecting the central business district, slums and residential areas.

Governor Johnson Sakaja has acknowledged that the city’s drainage system is overwhelmed by the intense rainfall, leading to recurrent flooding and exposing a lack of preparedness. If no significant measures are taken, the same pattern is expected to repeat this year.

Speaking in an interview on January 29, 2025, Sakaja partly attributed the ongoing flooding crisis to insufficient funding but also highlighted some progress made over the past year.

"The problem with drainage is not blockage as much right now. It's mainly just a capacity issue. The rains we have are extremely higher than before, but of course, we need to expand the infrastructure," he said.

Flooding continues to cause havoc across Nairobi whenever heavy rains occur. The drainage system was initially designed to support a population of fewer than 500,000 people. However, with the city now home to nearly five million, the existing infrastructure has failed to keep up with the growing demand. This mismatch between rapid urbanisation and outdated drainage systems has left Nairobi increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Authorities have urged residents to stay away from rivers and flooded areas, warning that “most water bodies running through the city have swollen beyond their usual capacity”, posing significant risks to those living nearby.