Heavy rains pound Nairobi City

Residents of Nairobi on Monday morning endured a wet morning following heavy rains that started at dawn.

Parents taking their children to school had to brave the rain to get their kids to various pick-up points as the skies continued to open – drenching the capital.

According to the residents, the early morning downpour disrupted businesses and transport activities in certain sections of Nairobi.

Residents rushing to work had to contend with heavy traffic jam – especially on major roads leading to the capital.

Many people spent hours stuck at various bus stops due to shortage of public service vehicles.

“I think this could be the beginning of the El Nino rains the weatherman has been talking about,” John Kariuki, a matatu conductor in Nairobi told Wananchi Reporting.

Kariuki said that they had to increase bus fares because of the rain.

“The roads tend to block due to heavy traffic whenever it rains. This means that we make very few trips to town. You will find many matatus stuck in traffic during heavy rains, and yet we have bills to pay. That is why we have to increase the bus fare,” said Kariuki.

The rains are coming at a time when there has been uncertainty regarding the much prophesied El Nino rains.

The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) in its report dated August 30, 2023, indicated that the climate outlook for the October–November–December period indicates the whole country is likely to experience enhanced rainfall, a departure from what has been the norm for the last few years.

Residents are asking the county government to open up blocked drainage lines in good time to prevent flooding in estates and on major roads. Others want major bus stops to be properly built with shades to protect pedestrians from rains.