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According to Central Police Commander Philemon Nyakombo, four of the victims drowned after being swept away by floodwaters in different parts of the city. Another person died after coming into contact with electricity during the floods.
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.
Anthony Muchiri, Emergency Response Director at the Kenya Red Cross, confirmed the fatalities and the number of displaced families during an interview on March 5, 2026.
According to the department, rainfall above 20mm per day will persist over the Lake Victoria Basin and the Highlands West of the Rift Valley until March 3.
High-risk counties include Migori, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kakamega, Embu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi, Kisii, Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Nairobi, Kericho, Bomet, Taita-Taveta, Kitui, Kwale, Mombasa, southern Tana River, and parts of Kilifi.
In one of the posts, Saidani sarcastically called Saied the “supreme commander of sanitation and rainwater drainage” and accused him of “taking up the hobby of taking photos with the poor and destitute” while touring damaged neighborhoods. The comments quickly drew attention online and led to his arrest.
The torrential rains have destroyed thousands of homes, with some structures completely washed away. Among the victims is a five-year-old boy from Giyani in Limpopo. President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the family to express his condolences and assess the damage in the region.
The South African Weather Service has raised its highest alert for ongoing downpours, while Mozambique is also preparing for flooding that threatens homes and roads.
The Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of widespread showers across both western and eastern parts of the country. Flood-prone zones, low-lying areas, and regions with saturated soils are at increased risk of flooding.
Scenes of destruction were reported across the city as fast-moving water swept through neighbourhoods, especially in the old city centre, where at least 70 homes were flooded.
Among the defences, 6,498 were considered "high consequence," meaning that their failure could have a severe impact on communities. Overall, around 8,500 structures were not functioning as intended at the start of winter. While the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs says investments since 2024 have strengthened the network, the condition of defences varies greatly across regions.
Rainfall in some areas could reach 250–300 mm over the next few days, raising concerns about flash floods and landslides. The storm is associated with a DANA, or Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, which describes a pocket of cold air at high altitudes that becomes detached from the main jet stream.