Heavy rains that pounded Nairobi on Thursday morning almost brought business to a standstill as roads, including major thoroughfares, were flooded affecting flow of vehicles.
The flooding once again put the country’s capital in the spotlight as authorities continue to sit on plans to resuscitate its failed drainage system. The rains which started at around 6.15 am lasted up to around 10.20 am.
The Governor Mike Sonko-led county government had earlier said it was fully prepared for the rains and the flooding.
Areas affected most included Forest Road, Uhuru Highway, Globe Roundabout, Juja Road in Pangani, Mbagathi Road, Bangladesh in Ongata Rongai, Lang’ata Road, T-Mall Roundabout, Waiyaki Way, Peponi Road, Ojijo Road and Ngong Road.
In the city centre, the situation was not any better as pedestrians got marooned unable to walk through flooded streets and allays. Others feared being splashed with dirt water by passing motorists, who were themselves struggling to navigate through the ensuing chaos.
Cart operators took advantage of the situation to ferry stranded pedestrians to dry areas at a fee.
The situation was the same in many estates in the city. In South C estate, residents are still struggling to clear flooded houses.
Related: Flash floods cut off Mai Maihu-Narok road
At a health facility near St Teresa Huruma Girls High School, medical staff could only stare at a flooded compound which only meant no patient could gain access even in the event of an emergency.
With the meteorological department predicting the rains would continue for the rest of the week the situation will only get worse.
Here are a selection of photos that better illustrate the situation:
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