Motorists using Mombasa Road have been urged to exercise caution following heavy overnight rainfall on Thursday, which caused flooding in parts of Nairobi, raising water levels and leading to major traffic disruptions along the busy highway.

The Kenya Red Cross (KRC) reported in an update on Friday, May 1, that water levels along Mombasa Road were rising, resulting in flooding in several sections.

“Following heavy downpour, rising water levels have been reported along Mombasa Road (Eastern Bypass), resulting in flooding,” KRC said.

Emergency response teams have been placed on standby to assess the situation and support any necessary rescue operations.

In a traffic advisory posted on X, Securex Agencies Ltd stated that the situation has further worsened after a lorry became submerged in floodwaters near City Cabanas.

“Major traffic snarl-up along Mombasa Road after a lorry submerged in floodwaters near City Cabanas. Exercise caution, expect delays, and consider alternative routes where possible,” the advisory read.

Flooding has also been reported near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), causing a major traffic snarl-up toward the Nairobi CBD,

The Kenya Red Cross has reported widespread flooding across the city and its outskirts following heavy downpour.

In Mukuru kwa Njenga, there were unconfirmed reports of missing persons and marooned households. The agency said its Nairobi response teams had been deployed to assess the situation and carry out rescue operations if necessary.

Elsewhere in Nairobi, flash floods were reported near T-Mall along Lang’ata Road, where a vehicle was trapped in a ditch with occupants inside. However, all the occupants were successfully evacuated.

“In Kajiado, flooding from the swollen Kandisi River along Magadi Road left three people initially trapped in a lorry. They were later rescued,” Kenya Red Cross said.

Additional flash floods have been reported in Moyale, Marsabit County. The Kenya Red Cross said it remains on standby for potential search-and-rescue operations as the situation continues to evolve.