Sakaja Names 4 High-Risk Areas After Floods Wreak Havoc, Sweep Away Ex-KTN Presenter's Car

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration has announced that it has identified four areas considered to be the most affected by the flooding experienced on Saturday night, April 20 as a result of the heavy rains.

Roads across the county were flooded leading to traffic snarl-ups with some vehicles being submerged. Moreover, traffic police officers reported immense snarl-ups on Sunday due to the flooding with Namanga Road in Kitengela being the most affected.

Some of the affected vehicles included a public service bus that was ferrying passengers on Saturday night. A video showed the bus driving along a flooded road before it lost control and fell on its side. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded.

A Public Service Vehicle (PSV) matatu overturns while driving on a flooded road during heavy downpour#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/fGCIX2twwv — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) April 20, 2024

Among those affected was former KTN presenter Jamal Gaddafi who thanked well-wishers for rescuing him after his car was swept away by floods in Westlands.

"Alhamdullilah. I narrowly escaped death this morning along Ojijo road in Parklands when my car was swept away by floods. I am lucky that a group of well-wishers quickly came to rescue me. I urge Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja to work on the drainage systems in Nairobi.

"I was on my way from the Hospital. I am deeply indebted to all the passers-by who took very little time to save me after the accident. Alhamdulillah. Nairobi County Government should unclog the drainage system along Ojijo road and other areas to avert dangers of flooding," he wrote on X.

In response, the county government in a statement by Patrick Analo, the acting County Secretary and Head of County Public Service, mapped out some of the most affected areas by the heavy rains:

1. Ngong River: The bursting of the Ngong River banks has affected many areas across the city especially downstream including the flooding of Mbagathi Roundabout, flooding in Ectoville Industrial Estate in Mukuru kwa Rueben Ward, flooding in Mwiki Ward along the Eastern bypass.
2. Mau Mau River: The bursting of its riverbanks has seen some churches and residential houses flooded in the Westlands sub-county.
3. Starehe sub-county: In Kiambiu informal settlement at least 10 households have been affected. Analo stated that the county government already had an excavator machine clearing garbage that was interfering with the flow of storm waters.
4. A bridge in Nairobi’s Mukuru-Kayaba Slum in South B was swept away

Furthermore, a number of roads were also affected, disrupting traffic and human movement especially Raila Odinga Road and Langata Road junction (near T-Mall) which flooded due to huge volumes of water as a result of Ngong River bursting its banks.

Whereas Analo reported that the water is currently flowing as the drainage system is working, other roads that were affected included Uhuru Highway, Enterprise Road, Ole Odume Road, Ojijo Road, Langata South Road, James Gichuru and many others.

"Following the heavy rains witnessed in Nairobi County last night we have witnessed the impact and subsequent flooding in the city. Regrettably, we confirm the loss of one person and there is an ongoing search for a child in a search is ongoing for a child in Kibra sub-county," stated Analo who conveyed sincere condolences on behalf of the Nairobi City County Government

"In addition, we have seen the destruction of property across the city. In response to the current situation, our emergency teams, led by the Disaster Management Department, are actively engaged in the relief efforts in affected areas. We are coordinating closely with all relevant authorities and agencies including the National Government, National Police Service, and the Red Cross, to ensure the safety and well-being of our people and property."

Additionally, the mobility and works team are working closely with Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to ensure the roads are passable.

The administration stated that estates, buildings and other structures developed in the past years on top of rivers, along riparian reserves, and reclaimed river sections were hit hardest by the flooding, with residents who built in such areas urged to vacate their homes.

"The County will commence an effort to open up rivers where they have been encroached to reduce the impact of excess waters," added the statement.

"All the Emergency Response Teams, including Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), Health, Wellness and Nutrition; Mobility and Works and Disaster Management teams have been deployed to the affected areas to provide the necessary support and manage the situation. Backhoes, wheel loaders, flushing units, and excavators have been deployed in the affected areas."

All citizens were finally urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to safeguard themselves and their property, especially those living near riverbanks.

Nairobi residents were urged to heed all warnings and advisories issued by the relevant authorities and avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas.

Motorists struggle to get through floods in Nairobi. /VOA