Heavy evening rains on Friday caused flooding in several parts of Nairobi, leaving key roads under water and disrupting transport across the city as motorists and commuters struggled to move through flooded streets.
The downpour, which started earlier in the evening, quickly overwhelmed drainage systems in a number of neighbourhoods. Areas including Nairobi West, South C and South B were among the hardest hit as water levels rose rapidly and submerged sections of roads.
Motorists using Uhuru Highway faced some of the most difficult conditions, with dramatic scenes showing vehicles almost disappearing in floodwaters that spread across parts of the busy road.
Flooding was also reported in Kilimani and sections of the central business district, where fast-moving runoff turned streets into flowing streams. The rising water slowed traffic and forced some drivers to avoid the affected roads as movement across the city became increasingly difficult.
In several neighbourhoods, commuters were forced to get out of public service vehicles and walk through flooded streets after traffic stalled due to the rising water levels.
Residents in South C also reported that floodwaters had begun entering houses after drainage systems failed to handle the sudden rush of rainwater.
The situation sparked frustration among many city residents, with several taking to social media to criticise the Nairobi City County Government over what they described as continued drainage failures in the capital.
Some critics blamed blocked drainage channels, uncollected garbage and rapid construction across the city for worsening the flooding problem whenever heavy rains fall.
