Nairobi flash floods kill more than 20 people and cause widespread airport disruption

Overnight flash floods in Kenya's capital have killed at least 23 people and caused diversions at the country's main airport - the biggest in East Africa.

The military has been deployed to assist after dozens of cars were washed away in Nairobi, with some motorists in the capital being stranded for hours.

George Seda, the chief of police in Nairobi, warned that the number of people killed may rise.

Mr Seda also said more than 100 vehicles were damaged, with some overturning on the roadside and in parking bays.

While Nairobi's airport is still operating, Kenya Airways stated that flights were disrupted, with some diverted to the coastal city of Mombasa, and difficulties would persist for hours.

Heavy rain began on Friday and continued overnight, submerging vehicles and forcing motorists in some areas to wade through hip-high water to reach higher ground.

Kenya Red Cross secretary-general Ahmed Idris said search and rescue teams were working tirelessly to assist those stranded.

"We are severely limited by the traffic and the situation on what used to be roads. We are doing our best to reach those in need," he wrote on X.

Some residents blamed the flooding on clogged drainage systems, stating that city authorities ought to have prepared by ensuring there was functional drainage infrastructure ahead of the rainy season.

Shocked resident Cedric Mwanza described seeing the Nairobi River, which burst its banks, as being full of "so many cars, so much stuff".

"Everything was just (washed away)," she said.

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The country has been hit by heavy rain since late February, which marks the start of the long rainy season.

Previous rain seasons have seen flooding, landslides and mudslides that have left hundreds of people dead and seen thousands of others displaced.

Further rain is expected for the next two weeks, with thunderstorms predicted for Saturday and Monday.

(c) Sky News 2026: Nairobi flash floods kill more than 20 people and cause widespread airport disruption