In the shadow of Nairobi’s skyline Mathare one of Kenya’s largest informal settlements bears the deep scars of nature’s wrath. The March-to-May rainy season of 2024 brought devastating floods that swept through the community, destroying homes, displacing thousands, and claiming lives.
On April 24, floodwaters surged through Mathare, leaving more than 7,000 people displaced, according to a report by Save the Children. A month later, families were still grappling with the scale of destruction.
Doreen Achieng, a mother of four, recalls how water seeped into her house overnight. Used to occasional flooding, she began mopping until she realized the water wasn’t stopping. Within hours, it had risen three meters, trapping her family inside.
“We were stuck in the water, but the men came to our rescue,” she said.
By morning, her home and livelihood had been washed away. Once a food vendor, her business was no longer viable as her customers had also been displaced. At least 15 of her neighbors did not survive.
Nairobi’s Informal Settlements Hit Hardest
According to the 2024 Kenya Red Cross flood report, the floods caused:
- 294 deaths across Kenya
- 55,000 households displaced
- 11,000 livestock lost
- 65,000 acres of cropland damaged
Nairobi County was among the hardest-hit regions, with informal settlements like Mathare, Kibera, and Mukuru suffering the worst.
Edward Okoth, another victim, was forced into a temporary displacement camp set up inside a primary school. Conditions were dire.
“Life was very difficult,” he recalled. “The food was not enough for all of us… we were literally fighting for food.”
The El Niño weather phenomenon exacerbated the crisis, highlighting Africa’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
A report by the Kenya Meteorological Department warns that climate change is intensifying floods, droughts, and heatwaves particularly in densely populated, poorly drained settlements.
In 2022, Kenya suffered a prolonged drought, leading to food shortages. By 2023 and 2024, extreme rainfall followed, displacing millions across the East and Horn of Africa. According to Sharon Dimanche of the International Organization for Migration, displacement in the region rose from 18.4 million in May 2024 to over 20 million by September 2024.
“Climate change is becoming a big challenge, leading to massive displacement,” she said.
According to Unicef, women and children were disproportionately affected by the floods. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants faced heightened risks, while many school-aged children stopped attending classes altogether.
A June 2024 report by Save the Children found that in six Nairobi sub-counties including Mathare 31% of children suffered neglect, and 29% had dropped out of school after the floods.
“You can imagine the trauma of watching everything get washed away,” said Irene Wali, a child protection specialist.
Forced Evictions Add to the Crisis
Before survivors could rebuild, the government ordered evacuations from flood-prone areas. When many refused to leave, bulldozers arrived. Homes along the Mathare River were demolished, leaving families homeless again.
“We were again left stranded,” Okoth said. “The structures were demolished, and we were warned not to rebuild.”
Beyond the displacement, the demolitions worsened sanitation issues, as toilets and sewer lines were destroyed.
“People are now going back to ‘flying toilets’ (plastic bags) or open defecation,” said Susan Akinyi, a Mathare resident.
Despite the setbacks, residents are finding ways to rebuild. Some survivors have turned the riverbanks into vegetable gardens, providing food and income. Others have joined ClimateWorX, a government initiative paying young Kenyans KES 500 ($3.80) daily to clean riverbanks and plant trees.
In November, the High Court ruled that Mathare residents evicted after the floods must be compensated. However, many fear this will take years to materialize.
Experts say Kenya must prioritize better urban planning, flood defenses, and social programs to prevent future disasters.
“There should be emergency shelters, contingency plans, and budget allocations,” said Easter Okech, executive director of the Kenya Female Advisory Organization. “But instead, the government is constantly caught off-guard.”
For Mathare’s flood survivors, rebuilding is an ongoing struggle, but many believe that with the right support, they can emerge stronger more prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.