Poor drainage causes traffic mayhem in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya: Commuters and other motorists in Nairobi were stuck in traffic jams as county engineers rushed to drain water from submerged roads following a heavy overnight downpour.

The downpour caused flooding on major roads, which affected traffic flow since Sunday night.

Monday morning, the flow was at snail pace as some cars stalled on the roads following the floods.

The situation was worsened when a commuter train stalled on the road blocking the Outering Road at Taj Mall area for hours.

Engineers were again mobilized and managed to start the engine two hours later.

The floods once again showed the county government had not been prepared despite warnings from the meteorological department on the pending rains.

Motorists headed for the airport at JKIA were badly affected and delayed as flooding at Imara Daima area slowed movement of vehicles.

Nairobi Area traffic commandant Edward Mwamburi said most of the roads that had been affected were drained and cleared by Monday 10a.m.

“Most roads in the city had a problem but as at now they have been cleared and vehicles are moving,” he said.

Residents of South C were as usual also affected as the floods raged into their houses. The area has perennially been affected by floods whenever it rains in the city.

The rains started at about 5pm and persisted close to six hours.

Uhuru Highway, Moi Avenue, Kimathi Street, Kenyatta Avenue and major roads were flooded by 9 p.m., resulting into heavy traffic jams despite it being a Sunday.

Some pedestrians were seen carrying their shoes as they waded through the flooded roads while traders selling umbrellas recorded brisk business in the city centre.

Residents of major slums of Kibera, Mukuru and Mathare were also affected displacing tens.

According to the meteorological department the rains are expected to continue for the next month.