Gov’t Sends KDF To Kasarani, Other Flood-Hit Areas As Met Department Issues Warning
The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) has been deployed to conduct search-and-rescue operations across Nairobi after more than 100 homes were submerged by the ongoing long rains.
This was confirmed by Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Onsumba, who said that the military had been deployed to respond to the situation.
An emergency data report from the Kenya Red Cross further reveals that the crisis is deepening.
UPDATE: FLOODS EMERGENCY RESPONSE pic.twitter.com/wtDBMiLsAr
— Government Spokesperson of The Republic of Kenya (@SpokespersonGoK) April 29, 2026
Over 650 households across Jacaranda, Sisal, Milimani, Motomoto, and Riara estates in Utawala affected, forcing families to abandon what they used to call home.
The Kenya Red Cross, which has also been playing a vital role in the rescue operations, confirmed that its team rescued three people stranded in floodwaters in Utawala.
The humanitarian body also warned that flooding and fast-moving water have swept through multiple neighbouring counties, including Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kwale, and Lamu.
Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and fast-moving water across roads and homes in parts of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu.
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) April 29, 2026
Key updates:
• Nairobi (Utawala): 3 people safely rescued after being stranded in floodwaters
• Nairobi: 650 households affected… pic.twitter.com/WEQxP0UAiD
“Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and fast-moving water across roads and homes in parts of Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kwale and Lamu,” stated Kenya Red Cross.
It added, “Water levels along the Tana River are rising. Masinga Dam has reached full capacity, with controlled spillovers ongoing.“
Tana River County Commissioner Joseph Wamuti further divulged that water levels along the Tana River have been rising faster.
This trajectory placed over 700 households in Abakuyu and Anole villages along the river to face possible displacement.
The Kenya Meteorological Service Authority (KMSA) raised an alarm two days ago about the situation in the Tana River.
The Authority warned residents living in low-lying, flood-prone areas along the river and communities near the banks of “High flood risk.”
The ongoing events have led to devastating impacts, with at least three people feared dead after being swept away by floodwaters triggered by heavy rainfall that pounded the city on Monday and Tuesday night.
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Besides reported deaths, several pieces of infrastructure across the country have also been affected by the rains.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Tuesday, April 28, announced the closure of a section of the Iten-Kabarnet Road after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall blocked the route near Kolol.
The highway situation has since been restored.
This is the second time in less than two months that the KDF has been deployed to help mitigate the effects of floods.
In March, President William Ruto directed the immediate deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and a multi-agency emergency response team to speed up rescue and relief operations in flood-hit parts of the country.
Gov’t Sends KDF To Kasarani, Other Flood-Hit Areas As Met Department Issues Warning
