On Sunday evening, a police officer named David Chesire was swept away by floodwaters at Nairobi’s Country Bus station while assisting in the rescue of four individuals trapped by the sudden deluge. Chesire, stationed at Kamukunji Police Station, was part of a team of officers who encountered three women and a child trapped in one of the stalls where a concrete slab had collapsed.
Responding swiftly to the crisis at around 10 pm, the officers successfully rescued the four individuals. However, tragedy struck when Chesire returned to close the stalls and was swept away by the floods as another section of the concrete slab collapsed.
In the midst of the chaos, Chesire was carried away along with his rifle, an AK47. The incident was promptly reported to the Kamukunji Police Station, triggering a search and rescue operation that is currently ongoing.
The unfortunate event encapsulates a tumultuous evening for city residents as heavy rainfall led to flash floods in various parts of Nairobi. Footage and images circulated online depicted the Expressway submerged under floodwaters, with motorists navigating through the deluge and workers attempting to clear the flooded area.
Additionally, neighborhoods such as South C and Ruai experienced flooding, leaving streets partially submerged throughout the night. The intense rainfall also brought isolated storms, resulting in fallen trees in several areas, including Dennis Pritt Road in Kilimani.
According to data from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), the rainy conditions are expected to persist until Wednesday, with heavy rainfall forecasted across most parts of the country.
