Kenya floods kill at least 49; Nairobi among hardest hit as Ruto orders multi-agency response
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
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NAIROBI, Kenya — At least 49 people have died and 2,624 families have been displaced after days of heavy rains triggered flooding across several parts of Kenya, with Nairobi among the hardest hit areas, authorities said Wednesday.
The National Police Service (NPS) said officers are working alongside multi-agency emergency teams to carry out search and rescue operations, evacuate residents from high-risk zones and provide security support as water levels rise and infrastructure buckles in multiple regions.
“Following the devastating rains on Friday, 6th March 2026, 49 people have unfortunately lost their lives nationwide as a result of the flooding,” NPS spokesman Michael Muchiri said, conveying condolences to families and friends of the victims. He added that 16 police stations have been affected by the floods, posing operational challenges even as authorities work to keep policing services uninterrupted.
The deluge, which began late last week, has damaged roads, homes and public facilities, complicating access for first responders. Emergency crews remained in the field Wednesday, assisting stranded residents and moving people in danger to safer ground as additional rainfall was forecast.
President William Ruto ordered the immediate deployment of a multi-agency emergency response team to bolster rescue and relief operations in Nairobi and other affected regions. The effort, led by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, will coordinate closely with the Kenya Defence Forces and other emergency agencies to intensify search and rescue, organize evacuations and support the relocation of residents living in flood-prone areas.
The president also directed the release of relief food from national strategic reserves to assist families impacted by the floods. The government will cover hospital bills for people injured in the flooding who are receiving treatment in public health facilities, officials said, and emergency humanitarian assistance will be provided to displaced households.
Authorities urged the public to exercise extreme caution as the heavy rains persist, to avoid floodwaters and to monitor weather updates and safety advisories from the Kenya Meteorological Department and relevant government agencies. Officials emphasized that people living near rivers, informal settlements on low-lying land and neighborhoods with inadequate drainage are particularly vulnerable.
Residents were encouraged to report emergencies, distress situations or criminal activity through the following hotlines:
- Toll-free: 999, 911, 112
- #FichuaKwaDCI: 0800 722 203
- WhatsApp: 0709 570 000
As floodwaters continue to disrupt daily life in the capital and beyond, response teams said they are prioritizing lifesaving operations while assessing damage to critical infrastructure. Authorities warned that further rainfall could exacerbate flooding and landslide risks, and appealed for patience and cooperation with evacuation orders and road closures where necessary.
The government said it would continue to update the public on rescue progress, relief distribution and weather developments in the coming days.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
