Flooding disrupts Nairobi train services as Eastern Africa braces for more heavy rains

Over 130 travelers were left stranded at Nairobi’s Central Railway Station on Monday evening as floods interrupted train operations to the Syokimau SGR station.

The transport setback unfolded just as climate experts projected more intense rainfall across parts of Kenya and the Greater Horn of Africa.

Those affected had boarded the commuter train, only to be informed that it could not proceed due to floodwaters along the railway line. In response, the railway management began organising buses to move passengers to Syokimau.

As of 9:15 pm, travelers remained at the station, anxiously awaiting further updates and the arrival of the buses.

Meanwhile, the IGAD Climate Predictions and Applications Center (ICPAC) warned of heavier than usual rainfall in eastern Kenya, northeastern Kenya, and other areas in the Horn of Africa. The forecast includes parts of Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

“Moderate rainfall of between 50-200 millimeters is expected in most parts of Rwanda, Burundi, northwestern and southern Tanzania, western Uganda, coastal, northeastern and western Kenya, parts of western Ethiopia, northern South Sudan and southern Sudan,” ICPAC said.

The institution cautioned that these rains may lead to flooding in some regions.

“The expected heavy rainfall over parts of north-eastern Kenya and some regions in southern and northern Tanzania could trigger isolated flooding. Communities in low-lying areas should stay cautious.”

In some parts of the region, rainfall is expected to be light, with less than 50 millimeters likely in central Kenya, southern Somalia, and parts of Ethiopia.

ICPAC also projected high temperatures for several areas, with values above 32℃ in parts of Sudan and Ethiopia.

“Moderate to high temperatures of between 20-32 degrees celsius are expected over most parts Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, northern, western and eastern Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania,” the statement noted.

The added pressure of heat stress is predicted to affect regions such as eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania, and South Sudan.

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