Mombasa hit by flooding after heavy rains
By Brian Ocharo
Mombasa residents woke up to flooded roads as rains pounded the city on Sunday morning.
The rains that started on Christmas day left flood-prone areas of the tourism hub submerged.
Some residents had to wade through flooded sections of the roads while motorists also struggled to steer vehicles through the waters.
“I had to remove my shoes so that they do not soak in water,” said Maryam Said, a fruit vendor at Marikiti Market.
Those who could not afford to board matatus braved the pounding rains but got to work while soaking wet.
Floodwaters filled major streets, with Jomo Kenyatta Avenue being the most affected.
Motorists who had parked their cars along affected streets were forced to wait for flood waters to subside before they could pick their vehicles.
In Kaa Chonjo, Mshomoroni and Bangla neighbourhoods, residents woke up to blocked sewers and flooded houses.
In areas with poor drainage systems, residents could be spotted manually unblocking sewers in the areas that drain into the Indian ocean.
The Kenya Meteorological Department had warned of slight rains in Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River over the festive period.