Nairobi’s heavy rains flooded roads, houses and schools in March 2026, as intense downpours on March 6 turned major streets into rivers, stranded drivers for hours, and forced closures at places like Ainsworth School in Eastleigh. The constant rain made drainage in low-lying areas fail, leaving commuters wet and angry. The Kenya Meteorological Department warned that more heavy rain could fall through March 9.
The trouble started in the afternoon and carried on into the night. Mombasa Road saw deep water pooling fast, with trucks and cars stuck or swept sideways in the current. South B residents watched as sections of their estate turned into shallow lakes, forcing people to wade home or hitch rides on higher ground.
Eastleigh felt the pinch too, and Ainsworth School got hit hard. Water rushed into classrooms and the admin block, marooning kids and teachers until authorities suspended lessons for the day. Parents rushed to pick up children, some carrying them on their backs through the muck.
Further north, Karura Forest closed off trails to caves, waterfalls, and bridges after rivers inside overflowed, with the Kenya Forest Service saying access remains unsafe until the water drops.
Traffic ground to a standstill across wide stretches of the city. Uhuru Highway, Thika Road near Pangani, Parklands, and Mbagathi Way all reported rising levels that made movement tough for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Videos from the evening show motorists abandoning cars as water climbed higher, while others tried pushing through only to stall out.
One driver stuck near South B described the scene as chaos, with horns blaring and people shouting directions in the rain. The motorway opened free to motorists from 9pm to 11pm to give some relief on the elevated route when ground-level roads became impossible.
People online did not hold back their anger. Social media is filled with photos of submerged streets and memes poking fun at the city’s nickname dreams, with some calling it “Sea-Ngapo” in a jab at promises of a cleaner, modern Nairobi.
Residents pointed fingers at Governor Johnson Sakaja’s team for letting clogged channels and outdated drains stay the same year after year. They said predictable seasonal rains keep catching the county off guard, despite warnings from the Met about heavy falls over 20 mm in 24 hours.
Critics shared old clips of campaign talk on infrastructure, asking why basics like clearing waterways still lag.
Sakaja responded late on March 6 with an update that the county had pulled together all hands on deck. He said the Disaster Management and Risk Department mobilised every available person and resource, including fire units, the Green Army for unclogging drains, and the Red Cross for rescues.
A 24-hour operations centre now runs to track trouble spots and send help fast. He urged everyone to stay sharp, avoid driving through flooded areas or swollen rivers, and call emergency lines if needed.
Those hotlines include 020 2222181, 020 2223182, 020 2222183, and 020 2344599. The governor stressed safety first and asked residents to report issues right away so teams can reach them.
The Met keeps the heavy rainfall advisory active, saying the peak hits hard from March 4 to 7 across Nairobi and nearby counties. Showers and thunderstorms could pop up any time, with risks of flash floods in low spots.
Authorities remind people not to cross moving water, even if it looks shallow, and to move to higher ground if living near rivers or poor drains.
There were no major injuries or deaths in the city this time, but the disruption makes everyday life hard. When the markets flood, kids miss school, traders lose business, and workers show up late or not at all.
Every rainy season, this weather pattern puts Nairobi to the test. Old drainage systems that were built for lighter rainstorms don’t work as well with today’s heavier rainstorms. This is made worse by trash blocking channels or buildings being built over natural paths.
More and more people are asking Sakaja’s government to fix the system for good, maybe by putting more money into pipes and clearing riparian zones. For now, the most important thing is to get through the next few days. When they can, crews work at night to clear blockages and pump water. People buy what they need and keep their phones charged so they can get news.
As the rain eases or ramps up again, Nairobians hope for drier spells soon. In the meantime, drive slowly if you must go out, watch for standing water, and lean on neighbours when things get tough.
The city repeatedly recovers from these floods, yet each one serves as a reminder that enhanced preparation could significantly alter the situation. Stay safe, follow the alerts, and let’s see what the weekend brings.
