Heavy rains, Nairobi devastation

Persistent and extreme rainfall has once again brought Kenya to the brink of a flood disaster, raising questions about the country's climate preparedness and resilience. The Kenyan Meteorological Agency reports that the persistent rains from March to May brought above-average rainfall. It was on constant alert as various parts of the country experienced rainfall exceeding 20 mm within 24 hours – a clear indication of an increasingly unpredictable weather pattern influenced by climate variability. Flooding, particularly in Nairobi and other regions, has resulted in dozens of deaths and significant damage. Nairobi suffered severe flooding, with at least 23 fatalities, including drowning victims and those killed by power lines. In the west of the country, entire towns were submerged, resulting in over 80 deaths and thousands of evacuations. The rainy season began unusually early and intensely, exacerbated by climate change, which is contributing to extreme weather events. Roads, houses, vehicles, and infrastructure have been destroyed. Airports closed, and power went out. Rescue workers and the military searched for the missing and helped those trapped. President Ruto ordered aid deliveries. The weather service warned of further rainfall in the south and east. While rainfall in recent years has tended to be localized, this pattern is both heavy and widespread, affecting western Kenya, the Rift Valley, the central highlands, the coast, and urban areas simultaneously.