Decision: This alert is rejected on the same grounds as two similar alerts concerning the same crisis, received on 16 March 2026. The alert “Flash Floods in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya – March 2026”, submitted by 100% for the Children, as well as the alert “Nyando-Nyakash Flood” submitted by International Aid Services refer to the same crisis in Kenya and has already been assessed and rejected. On this basis, and even if the floods have increased the humanitarian impact slightly, this alert is likewise rejected for the same reasons as outlined below.
Reason:
With the very limited humanitarian sources of information available at the moment, it is assessed that there is no significant funding gap in the ongoing response to the flooding in Kenya. Compared to the relatively small number of people affected, large organisations, including the very capable Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), the Government of Kenya, county governments, the national disaster management authorities including the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), Kenya National Police Force (NPS) as well as Kenya Defence Forces are all responding to the floods. The floods have not yet triggered the large-scale international humanitarian mobilisation.
This is a rapid onset humanitarian crisis caused by flash flooding following heavy rainfall in various places at the onset of the long rain season in Kenya.
Several rivers have broken their banks resulting to significant volumes of water flowing in residential and commercial areas.
By 18th March 2026, the floods have resulted in:
- • Confirmed 71 deaths nationwide
- • Mass displacement of population, reported at 10,000
- • Destruction of shelters and household assets
- • Major transport corridors, including the Nairobi Expressway, Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and the Thika Superhighway, have experienced severe inundation, rendering them impassable at various points during the flash floods
- • Disruption of access to markets, health services, and humanitarian assistance
The crisis is occurring in a context of chronic vulnerability, recurrent climate shocks, and high dependence on subsistence agriculture, significantly increasing risks for women, children, elderly persons, people with disabilities, and female-headed households.