World

Kenya says death toll from floods almost doubles to 42

Mar 9, 2026

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Kenya's capital Nairobi and ‌elsewhere has almost doubled to 42, the government says.

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Heavy rain on Friday unleashed widespread flooding that led to drownings, washed away vehicles and disrupted traffic at the country's largest airport.

The death toll was previously 23.

Emergency workers from various agencies including the military were ‌still conducting search ‌and ⁠rescue operations across the country, Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, minister for public service and human capital development said in a statement on Sunday.

"Search mission is still in progress by the multi-agency emergency response teams with the aim of ensuring that bodies ⁠of all the flood victims ‌are found and retrieved," he said.

The floods also extensively damaged ‌infrastructure and livelihoods.

Authorities said 172 vehicles swept away by floodwaters have been recovered.

President William Ruto said on Saturday he had ordered the immediate release of relief food from the country's national strategic reserves for distribution to ‌families affected by the floods.

Scientists say global warming is worsening floods and droughts across East Africa by concentrating rainfall into shorter, more intense bursts.

A 2024 World Weather Attribution study found climate change had made devastating rains in the region twice as likely.