Heavy overnight rainfall has brought movement in Nairobi to a near standstill, with major transport routes flooded and motorists stranded for hours across several parts of the city.
The most severely affected corridor is Mombasa Road, where flooding between Mlolongo and Cabanas caused a major traffic paralysis early on Saturday, May 1. Witnesses reported that vehicles were stuck in long queues stretching for kilometres, with congestion reportedly extending nearly 3km from the Ole Sereni area towards The Standard Media Group vicinity.
Footage circulating online shows floodwaters covering sections of the highway, immobilising trucks, private cars, and public service vehicles. The situation was further worsened by disruptions reported around the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport area, adding pressure to one of the city’s busiest transport routes.
Many motorists said they had been trapped on the road since the early hours of the morning, expressing frustration over the lack of movement and the impact of the heavy overnight downpour. The flooding effectively halted normal commuting and disrupted access to key entry and exit points in and out of the capital.
Elsewhere, reports indicated that the Eastern Bypass was also completely blocked due to flooding and traffic congestion. Authorities and road users advised motorists to consider alternative routes, including the Nairobi Expressway, in an attempt to ease pressure on affected roads.
On the opposite end of the city, traffic buildup was reported from the Nairobi Central Business District stretching all the way to Athi River, highlighting the widespread nature of the disruption.
The flooding has once again raised concerns over urban drainage systems and the city’s preparedness for heavy rainfall events. As commuters continue to face delays and uncertainty, authorities are being urged to respond quickly to restore normal traffic flow and improve infrastructure resilience.