By Peter Ochieng
The flooding situation in Nairobi may be getting out of hand, after four bodies of people suspected to be flood victims were retrieved from Mathare River, on Wednesday.
This follows heavy downpour witnessed in several parts of the Capital, on Tuesday.
The retrieved bodies, according to Starehe Sub-county Police Commander Fred Abuga, consist of two women and two men.
Abuga said the search is on for six other people who are unaccounted for, after several people were reported missing.
Earlier, as reported by Nairobi Review, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna called for quick response from the national government, in a bid to save more 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 mobilised to save lives,” said the first term legislature, who doubles up as ODM Party Secretary General.
Informal settlements were previously affected by flooding, but under the current situation, even the affluent estates have not been spared.
The Kenya Red Cross, on Wednesday morning listed several areas that had been affected by the floods.
The humanitarian agency, as reported by Nairobi Review 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 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 18 people, including 11 adults and 7 children, were on Tuesday rescued by their action team in Mradi, Mathare 4A.
Additionally, the agency said it had rescued 96 people at Graceland in Athi River.