By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Nairobi City County has been overwhelmed by the flooding situation, Senator Edwin Sifuna has said.
For the last few days, several parts of the city have reported flooding occasioned by heavy rainfall pounding the country.
Many estates have had houses flooded with some roads also rendered impassable.
With more rains expected in the next few months, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the Nairobi Senator is now asking the national government to step in and support the county response team.
Senator Sifuna, while sharing a video of an informal settlement flooded said the quick response was necessary to save lives.
“The situation in Nairobi has escalated to extreme levels. The County Government for all its efforts is clearly overwhelmed. We need all national emergency services mobilized to save lives,” the Senator said.
Previously, informal settlements were affected by flooding but under the current situation, even the affluent estates have not been spared.
Kenya Red Cross on Wednesday listed several areas that had been affected by the floods. The humanitarian agency however said it had dispatched its team to help rescue those affected.
“Many parts of Nairobi have experienced heavy rainfall overnight, resulting in flash floods in areas such as Mukuru, Mathare, Huruma, Ruaraka, Baba Dogo, Bosnia, Umoja 3, Choka, Njiru, Ruai, Utawala, Githurai, Kahawa, Eastern Bypass, Kinoo, Kijabe, Limuru, Ruiru, Graceland, Joska, Kaswito, Kicheko, Mangili, Kenyatta Road, Juja, Kitengela, and Magadi,” the humanitarian agency said.
“The Athi River has also burst its banks, accelerating the impacts. Roads and bridges are affected, leading to heavy traffic on major roads. Our response teams are on the ground in most of these areas, evacuating families to safety and providing other life-saving interventions,” it added.
Meanwhile, Kenya Red Cross said eighteen people, including 11 adults and 7 children, were on Tuesday been rescued by their action team in Mradi, Mathare 4A.