Aid teams pulled bodies from floodwaters in Nairobi on Saturday after overnight flash floods killed at least 10 people, swept away dozens of cars and disrupted flights at East Africa’s biggest airport, authorities said.
In the industrial neighborhood of Grogan, security guard John Lomayan, 34, observed the body of an elderly man he recognized – a roadside egg seller – trapped under a car that had been swept away by floodwaters caused by the overflowing Nairobi River.
“I saw it being carried away by the current from up there,” he said, pointing to the road. “We didn’t know where he had gone. Only now do we see him under the car.”
A Reuters reporter saw three bodies being removed from under cars. Police reported that 10 deaths have been confirmed so far.
Scientists say global warming is worsening floods and droughts in East Africa, concentrating rainfall in shorter, more intense periods. A 2024 study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change has doubled the likelihood of devastating rainfall in the region.
Kenya Airways said rain had disrupted flights to Nairobi and forced some to divert to the coastal city of Mombasa.
“So many cars, so many things, I don’t know. Everything was just washed away. All the water came from that river,” said shocked resident Cedric Mwanza, referring to the Nairobi River.
