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Kenya: Floods of Death, Destruction in Nairobi

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4 years ago

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Three men have been confirmed dead and property valued at millions of shillings destroyed in Nairobi following a downpour on Thursday night.

In Katwekera, Kibra constituency, a boda-boda and his two passengers were swept off a bridge while crossing River Nairobi.

Witnesses said the rider insisted on crossing the bridge despite warnings from locals.

The bodies of the driver and one of his passengers – identified as David Otieno – were found about a kilometre and a half away from the bridge yesterday.

“One could not see the road as the river had burst its banks. There was water everywhere,” Otieno’s friend Erick Ojwang, said.

“Drainage in this area is bad. It has just rained for a day. Imagine what will happen if it pours continuously for two weeks.”

The motorcycle and the body of the other passengers have not been found.

Hundreds of shacks near Kibra South dispensary were destroyed by the rains.

Families attempted to salvage their property from what was left of their homes yesterday.

Mr Pascal Odhiambo, who has lived in Katwekera for seven years, said he has never witnessed such rain. His house was barely two metres from the banks of the river.

He lost most of his property, including electronics and food.

“There have been rains before but not on such a scale. The contractor working on the Kamukunji-Lindi road is to blame. These culverts block the river, pushing water to people’s homes,” Mr Odhiambo told the Saturday Nation.

Just metres away, Mr Boniface Kiprono, 30, stood crestfallen. His house was destroyed by the rain that hit the area from 6pm to 11 pm.

“The national and county governments need to improve the drainage system in Katwekera. People are scared whenever they hear raindrops on their roofs,” Mr Kiprono said.

Next to his destroyed house is Kibera Hope Gospel Church, which was almost submerged. Bishop James Isye, who has lived in the area for 15 years, expressed frustration.

Like Mr Odhiambo, he said he had never witnessed such destruction before.

“The planners of this area are to blame. They forgot to put up sewer lines. Children have died and grown ups have been seriously injured because of the poor drainage,” the bishop said.

His house, just 50 metres from the church, was destroyed.

In late 2018, Mr Ojwang’s neighbour died as he attempted to save his three-year-old daughter from drowning. He and the girl were carried away by the rain water.