Sections of Nairobi including the Central Business District (CBD) flooded on Thursday morning following a heavy downpour.
This was the first major flooding since the country started experiencing heavy rains in November.
Motorists using Kenyatta Avenue were inconvenienced as the road became impassable as well as adjoining roads with cars struggling to make it through the submerged streets.
Imara Daima was one of the most affected areas as roads in the estate became submerged which brought transport to an almost standstill.
Despite being elevated, sections of the Nairobi Expressway also experienced flooding leading to a traffic snarl-up. Additionally, a minor accident was reported in the area.
Speaking during an interview with Spice FM on Thursday morning, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed that the government had already put in place measures to address the problem.
The CS explained that a drainage system was being constructed along Mombasa Road.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, construction of the drainage system is being overseen by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
He explained that this would complement similar works being done at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The CS added that the delays in the construction of the drainage system were due to the construction of the section of the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway which had been destroyed during the construction of the Expressway as both works were being done by the same contractor.
“The contractor is on schedule,” Murkomen assured Kenyans.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has further employed a huge team to unclog the drainage system in the capital.
