Nairobi: Posh Safaricom Sacco Houses Marooned By Floods After Athi River Breaks Its Banks

• Nairobi residents woke up to flooded roads following heavy overnight rains that rendered most roads in the city impassable
• Unlike past floods, upscale residential areas were not spared, as videos of palatial houses marooned by floods emerged online
• The Kenya Red Cross Society has reported that at least 35 people have been killed across the country since the onset of the floods

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The recent heavy downpour has continued to inflict pain and misery on Nairobi residents as floods are witnessed in various parts of the city.

Effects of floods in Nairobi

The rains have continued to pound various parts of the city rendering most roads impassable as the Nairobi County Government struggles to mitigate the situation.

Private citizens have been captured taking the initiative to rescue their friends and relatives marooned by the high waters.

Unlike past cases of flooding, upscale residences in the city have not been spared by mother nature, which seems intent on taking its course.

The floods have not spared Safaricom Sacco housing projects along Mombasa Road after the Athi River broke its banks.

Videos captured from the area have depicted the dire situation as all tenants cannot access their way out.

Kenyans share views on Safaricom Sacco houses flooding

Most who reacted to the videos circulating online expressed their disbelief at the effects of the heavy downpour.

A section of the users pointed out that it was a first to see such posh residences affected by floods.

Others pointed out that the building might have been constructed on riparian lands, hence nature running its course.

@Rhymaholic:

"They never invest in survey. They just find land and start building."

@alvin_halgo

"Hata kwa matajiri".

@KibetOscar:

"This is just truly unfortunate. We have bodies assigned to handle disaster management. Since this crisis we have never seen any project implemented.This could be lack of drainage of blockages."

@HerMerix:

"I have learnt. Building next to a water body is a no no. Unless I’m building on a cliff, hii nayo hapana. This is honestly bad investment and loss of property. Also, it doesn’t matter which reputable company is developing the property. Do full circle due diligence on everything."

@pollygen80:

"No doubt I knew that was on a reparian land by view of the landscape."

What you need to know about floods in Nairobi

• The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) announced a partial closure of roads in Nairobi county.
• Two trees fell along Moi Avenue near Nairobi Sports House and Imenti House in the Central Business District (CBD) in Nairobi.
• By Tuesday, April 23, Citizen TV, quoting the Kenya Red Cross Society, reported that the floods had led to the deaths of 35 people.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke