NAIROBI, Kenya — Emotions ran high in Nairobi as families of victims who died in last Friday’s devastating floods began collecting the bodies of their loved ones from the Nairobi Funeral Home.
Scenes of grief and tension unfolded at the facility on Thursday as relatives gathered to identify and claim the remains of those who perished in the flash floods that swept through several informal settlements in the capital.
Authorities say the death toll from the disaster in Nairobi has now risen to 32, after two additional bodies were recovered during ongoing search operations.
The process of releasing bodies was marked by confusion and emotional outbursts, with several families still searching for relatives who have been missing since the floods struck.
One of the most distressing moments involved the family of Nicholas Kyallo Makonge, who arrived at the mortuary to collect his body for burial.
Overcome with grief, relatives reportedly forced their way into the facility and carried a casket to the viewing area, only to discover that the body inside was not his.
After returning to the mortuary offices to demand clarification, they were eventually handed the correct remains, which they later transported for burial.
Other families also gathered at the mortuary hoping for confirmation about missing relatives, including a boda boda rider who had not been seen since the flooding began.
One grieving sister described the emotional toll of the loss.
“Ni mshtuko tumepata, sababu tuko watatu kwa mama yetu, sasa yeye ndio amekuwa kijana tumeangalia zaidi, tumeona kama jicho letu, kama msaada wetu, ametumaliza, tumeisha,” said Carmen Atsenga.
Despite the ongoing recovery efforts, at least six families are still searching for missing relatives.
Among them is Naomi Mutinda, who says her four-year-old son disappeared on Friday night when heavy rains caused floodwaters to surge into their compound in the Kware area of Pipeline estate.
Mutinda said she had been stranded with the child as rising water surrounded their home before the boy went missing during the chaos.
Emergency responders and volunteers have continued search operations in affected neighbourhoods, although hopes of finding survivors have steadily diminished.
As the identification and release of bodies continues, preparations for burial ceremonies are underway across the city.
Meanwhile, the privately run Sonko Rescue Team, associated with former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko, delivered additional caskets to the funeral home to assist grieving families.
Human rights activists and some relatives of the victims have criticised the government, accusing authorities of failing to honour earlier pledges to support affected families.
“We have heard promises being made especially by the national government, that they would support the families, that they would pay the bills. Many families that are here have been told to pay,” said human rights activist Khalid Hussein.
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Government agencies have meanwhile begun distributing relief supplies to flood survivors in heavily affected neighbourhoods, including Mathare.
Kenya has been experiencing intense seasonal rains, which have triggered flooding, displacement, and infrastructure damage in several parts of the country.
Meteorological authorities have warned that continued rainfall could lead to further flooding in low-lying urban areas, particularly informal settlements where drainage systems remain inadequate.
The disaster has once again highlighted concerns over urban planning, drainage infrastructure, and disaster preparedness in Kenya’s rapidly growing capital.
