Heavy Rainstorms Hit Kenya: Floods Leave 18 Dead as Disaster Unfolds

Heavy rainfall and subsequent mudslides in Kenya have resulted in at least 18 deaths over the past week, according to the National Police Service.

The fatalities were confirmed in a statement released on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Police reported that landslides occurred in several counties across central and eastern Kenya, specifically in Kiambu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Tharaka Nithi.

The National Police Service has confirmed the loss of 18 lives as a result of these incidents, underscoring the grave danger posed by the ongoing weather conditions

National Police Service

The Ministry of Interior reported that the disaster has affected more than 54,000 households nationwide. In the capital city of Nairobi, approximately 6,000 households have been impacted. Reports from local media indicated that streets in Nairobi overflowed with water, forcing pedestrians and motorists to wade through the deluge.

In Nairobi’s Ruai and Makongeni neighborhoods, traders staged protests on May 3 over the poor condition of roads during the rains, stating that the infrastructure failures were negatively affecting their businesses.

Infrastructure and Displacement

The floods have caused widespread disruption to essential services and transport. Authorities confirmed that 17 roads across the country have been blocked and dozens of hospitals and schools have been submerged.

The Kenya National Highways Authority reported that the Iten–Kabarnet road was blocked near Kolol due to a landslide. Traffic was diverted while repair teams worked to clear the route.

In the western part of the Rift Valley, landslides have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry placed the lower Tana River basin on high alert. Officials warned that heavy upstream rainfall had increased inflows into the Seven Forks dam system, raising the risk of flooding for the Tana River Delta, which is home to more than 100,000 people.

Police noted that most of the current deaths were attributed to drowning.

Seasonal Context and Forecast

The current weather is part of Kenya’s long rains season, which typically runs from March to May. This season has been particularly deadly in 2026; by the end of March, more than 100 people had died due to severe weather, with the National Police Service updating the toll to 112 by April 3.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that intense rainfall is expected to continue through the first two weeks of May. Weather authorities also cautioned that the rains pose increased health risks, specifically the spread of waterborne diseases, and are likely to cause further damage to farmland and crops.

Emergency response efforts are being coordinated by a multi-agency team, including the Kenya Defence Forces and the Kenya Red Cross Society. These organizations are conducting search and rescue operations and providing relief assistance to stranded residents, including in the densely populated area of Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobi.