A vehicle stuck on a flooded street in Nairobi CBD following heavy downpour on Sunday, May 11, 2025 / AGATHA NGOTHO
Heavy downpour Sunday evening left Nairobi streets flooded forcing pedestrians and motorists to wade through fast-moving waters as they hurried home.
The torrents of rain were accompanied with strong winds, making driving for motorists a nightmare.
On Mama Ngina Street, some vehicles stalled in the flood waters.
The situation was replicated in several other streets where motorists remained stranded inside their vehicles.
The adverse weather also forced some businesses to close early, cutting short customers' shopping spree.
A flooded road in Parklands, Nairobi, following heavy downpour on May 11, 2025. /HANDOUT
On May 5, the Kenya Meteorological Department issued a weather advisory warning Kenyans to brace for isolated heavy rainfall and temperature extremes in various parts of the country.
In its forecast covering the period from May 6 to 12, 2025, the meteorological department noted that several regions—including the Central Highlands, Lake Victoria Basin, parts of the Rift Valley, Coast, Western, and North-Western Kenya—were likely to receive intermittent, heavy downpours.
“These rains will be scattered but could be intense in isolated areas. We urge Kenyans to plan and stay safe,” the department said in its weekly update.
At the same time, soaring daytime temperatures were expected in much of the Coast, as well as North-Eastern and North-Western Kenya, with highs exceeding 30°C.
On the other end of the spectrum, nighttime temperatures were projected to drop below 10°C in parts of the Central Highlands, the Central Rift Valley, and areas near Mt. Kilimanjaro.
The advisory comes as the country continues to experience the March-April-May long rains season, which has been marked by shifting patterns and uneven rainfall distribution across counties.
Despite the varying conditions across the regions, the Kenya Meteorological Department has emphasised the need for continued weather preparedness.
“We’re still in the long rains season, and weather patterns can shift quickly. Communities should remain alert, especially in areas prone to flash floods or temperature-sensitive livelihoods,” the department said.
As Kenya grapples with unpredictable weather and climate-related challenges, farmers, motorists, and residents in vulnerable areas are being advised to monitor daily forecasts and heed safety guidelines issued by local authorities.
