Residents of Mombasa County are grappling with the devastating aftermath of two weeks of relentless heavy rains that have brought the coastal city to a near standstill. The downpour has triggered severe flash floods, rendering key roads impassable, damaging property, displacing families, and crippling local businesses.
Among the worst-hit areas is Nyali Estate, where several learners have reportedly been unable to access schools due to submerged roads. Links Road, a critical artery in the area, remains heavily flooded, forcing many residents out of their homes. Some families are said to be spending nights in the cold, having failed to find alternative shelter.
Traders and local residents have decried the massive losses incurred as businesses remain shut or inaccessible. The disruption has prompted growing calls for both the National and County governments to declare the situation an emergency.
“We are suffering. The government must act now. People have lost homes, children can’t go to school, and businesses are going under,” said a trader in Nyali.
The residents are demanding immediate relief efforts, including temporary shelters and food supplies, as well as urgent intervention to improve the drainage infrastructure, which they blame for worsening the flood impact.
This is not the first time Mombasa has faced such flooding challenges, and calls for long-term drainage and infrastructure solutions are growing louder with each rainy season.
“We cannot continue living like this every year. We need proper drainage systems to prevent these disasters from recurring,” a resident pleaded.
As the rains persist, pressure mounts on authorities to act swiftly to avert further suffering and prevent potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases in the flood-hit areas.