At least 4 killed as heavy rains pound Kenyan capital

At least four people were killed and three others injured on Friday evening after a perimeter wall collapsed in Nairobi due to heavy rains which are pounding the city, the police and humanitarian agency confirmed.

Kilimani divisional police commander Peter Katam and Kenya Red Cross Society said the deceased were sheltering near the wall, when the incident happened. The injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

"We can confirm four deaths. The victims were sheltering from the heavy rains which started at around 3pm and extended to the better part of Friday afternoon. We urge motorists and city residents to be cautious," said Katam.

The heavy rains which continue to wreck havoc around Nairobi have left motorists and pedestrians stranded, as the water levels inhibited movement due to impassable roads.

The rains which started late afternoon flooded several city roads, cutting off some key city roads by the raging floods.

The rains also caused mayhem and traffic jams in major city roads, prompting city motorists and commuters to adopt survival strategies to reach their homes.

The Red Cross said the flash floods have caused widespread destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of key activities such as farming and education in various areas of Kenya.

The most affected regions by heavy rains are in Western Kenya, Coast Province and parts of Rift Valley, where heavy rains have washed away bridges and rendered many roads blocked.

Source: XINHUA