Kenya Flood Death Toll Rises to 66 Amid Week of Torrential Rain

The National Police Service confirmed the updated figure on Sunday, March 15, 2026, noting that the victims include 50 men, eight women, and eight children. Nairobi remains the hardest-hit area, accounting for half of the fatalities with 33 deaths reported in the capital alone. The flooding has caused rivers to burst their banks, submerged major roadways, and severely disrupted power supplies and infrastructure across several counties.

In Nairobi, overnight downpours exacerbated the crisis, leading to widespread displacement of over 2,000 families. The city’s aging drainage systems and rapid urban construction have been cited as major factors contributing to the severity of the waterlogging. In response to the escalating situation, the Ministry of Interior has ordered residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately. President William Ruto has directed the release of emergency food and medical supplies from national reserves, while rescue teams from the Kenya Red Cross and the military continue to search for missing persons and provide aid to those stranded.

The regional impact of the extreme weather has been catastrophic, with neighboring Ethiopia reporting at least 107 deaths due to landslides and floods, primarily in the southern Gamo Zone. Experts attribute the intensity of these "long rains" to the worsening effects of climate change, which has made such extreme precipitation events twice as likely in East Africa. As meteorologists predict continued rainfall for the remainder of the month, local authorities remain on high alert to prevent further loss of life and property.