Floods in Nairobi: Weeping Families flock to City Halls to identify the bodies of their loved ones

At least 10 people have been reported dead on Friday after the floods that occurred in the city swept away people and property after the floods occurred.
Rescue teams were challenged to reach the flooded areas, with more than 70 vehicles stuck in the flood waters, and eventually 24 bodies were recovered.
The Nairobi floods sparked criticism of the national and Nairobi county governments over poor drainage systems and urban planning by city officials.

Nairobi, Kenya: Tears continue to flow as bereaved families arrive at the Nairobi Mortuary to begin identifying the bodies of their loved ones who perished in the floods that hit the city of Nairobi two days ago.

Nairobi Funeral Home gate and people who were at the center to recognize their loved ones. Photo: Nairobi County Government, Lolwe TV.
Source: Facebook

On Friday, March 6, at least 10 people lost their lives after heavy rain caused severe flooding and swept away homes.

According to Nairobi Police Commander George Seda, eight victims were swept away by flood waters, while two others died after being electrocuted.

How many bodies were in the Nairobi Mortuary?

A video clip shared by Citizen TV shows family members standing in groups, while others walk by crying, trying to come to terms with what happened to their loved ones with a blink of an eye. It was found that a total of 24 dead bodies were brought to the scene and so far 15 bodies from the fields like Ngara, Kibra, Lang’ata, Pangani, Ruaka, Akila, California, Mowlem, Ruaraka, Mwiki and Laki Summer have been identified. Nine bodies have yet to be identified.

Citizen TV reported that the last bodies they saw being brought into the facility were those of three women. A family at the mortuary explained that their loved one was from Thika and was going to ride matatu to Kawangware when he was swept away by the flood. The family of the woman who was among the people stranded in Grogon explained that she is a vendor, and she called her friend last time saying that she was somewhere near the roof and the flood was coming; he was not sure that he would succeed.

How did the Kenyans console the affected families?

@tele-de4hy: This is the most painful event for any family, Lord, have mercy on us and draw us closer to you.”

@owenmurimi578: These deaths could have been avoided, if only our government had put public money to good use.”

@beatricemwangi6059: “This is so sad in a big city with no drainage, so sad.”

@josephineariga438: “Sorry to the family who lost their loved ones.

@MartinwailOwino: “Sad, may their souls rest in peace.”

@giotfcvkkhg: “We hope people will have a conscience to dispose of garbage responsibly. Blocked drains are a reflection of society.”

@Artsybrands: “Personally, I crossed Riverside, Kirinyaga; we shook hands with a lot of people and then crossed, but it was not good at all. It’s sad, all those affected may be comforted, RIP to all those who were carried.”

Heavy rains lashed Nairobi, flooding roads and major settlements, including South B, South C and Nairobi West, leaving motorists in parts of Uhuru Highway, Kilimani and Nairobi CBD submerged as storm water overwhelmed drainage systems. Governor Johnson he faced criticism.