Nairobi Floods: Illegal Construction Blocks River, Causes Havoc in Parklands

Flooding in Nairobi's Parklands Suburb Highlights Urgent Need for Urban Planning Reform. Heavy rains have caused significant flooding in Nairobi's Parklands suburb, prompting a response from city officials. Geoffrey Mosiria, Chief Environment Officer for Nairobi City County, points to houses built directly over a river as the primary cause. "The construction of houses over the river blocks the natural water flow," Mosiria stated in a recent video. Images show extensive flooding and debris, with water levels high enough to submerge portions of properties. The county plans to issue demolition notices to affected homeowners and consult with the Water Resource Authority to determine which structures must be removed to restore the river's natural course. This incident underscores the critical need for improved urban planning and stricter regulations to prevent future flooding disasters in Nairobi.