KDF leads rescue operations as floods submerge 100 homes in Kasarani

The Kenya Defence Forces have initiated emergency search and rescue operations in Kasarani, Nairobi, following a night of intense rainfall that has left residential areas underwater. Military units arrived in the North Sub-Region on Wednesday to assist civil authorities as rising water levels continue to threaten lives and property across the capital.

Government reports confirm that at least 100 homes in the Kasarani area are currently submerged. The flooding has been particularly severe in the Maanguo, Maternity, and Muirigo areas, where dozens of households have been displaced by the fast-moving water.

Critical infrastructure has been compromised by the downpour, with the Street 13 bridge leading toward Mwiki completely submerged. The Gatharaini River, which serves as a major drainage artery for the region, overflowed its banks late Tuesday, rendering the bridge and several surrounding access roads impassable for motorists and pedestrians.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed the deployment of the KDF during a press briefing, noting that the military is working alongside the Kenya Red Cross and local administration. The response teams are prioritizing the evacuation of vulnerable households and monitoring the stability of local bridges that have come under intense structural pressure.

The Nairobi River has also been reported as swollen, although it currently remains within its banks. However, flooding along the Njeri House stretch in Mwiki has already disrupted movement, forcing residents to find alternative routes as the primary infrastructure remains underwater.

The meteorological department has warned that the heavy rainfall is likely to persist through the Labour Day long weekend. This forecast has placed disaster management teams on high alert, as drainage systems in many Nairobi estates are already operating beyond their design capacity.

In Zimmerman, a 29-year-old woman was reported dead after being swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday night. This incident has added urgency to the KDF operations in the neighboring Kasarani Sub-County, where the risk of further fatalities remains high due to the depth of the standing water in residential blocks.

The flooding in Kasarani is part of a wider disaster pattern affecting over 30 counties across Kenya. In Nairobi alone, more than 10 estates are currently considered high-risk zones, including Kileleshwa, Ngara, and Kibra, as the Athi and Kamiti rivers continue to rise toward critical levels.

Emergency responders are currently focused on providing safe passage for stranded residents and securing submerged areas to prevent looting or further accidents. Residents in low-lying areas of Kasarani have been advised to move to higher ground as the military maintains a continuous presence in the affected zones.