Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sharply criticised the leadership of Nairobi City County following devastating floods that hit parts of the capital on the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026.

Taking to his official X account on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Cherargei demanded compensation for families who lost loved ones and property in the crisis.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker termed the flooding incident an indictment of what he described as a dysfunctional county government, accusing local authorities of failing to respond effectively to the emergency.

The senator said the disaster exposed the lack of a clear rainstorm intervention policy and an emergency response plan in Nairobi, which he argued contributed to the absence of timely intervention by county officials during the overnight flooding.

“It’s tragic that Nairobi City County does not have a rainstorm intervention policy and emergency response plan. That is why there was no intervention by the county government during the flooding crisis,” Cherargei said.

He added that the failure to respond promptly to the disaster highlights deeper governance challenges within the county administration.

“This is an indictment that Nairobi City County is dysfunctional. We hope the national government’s intervention will resolve this crisis,” he said.

“The Nairobi City County must compensate for the lives lost and properties destroyed yesterday.”

Cherargei blasts Sifuna

The senator further turned his criticism toward his Nairobi counterpart, Edwin Sifuna, accusing him of failing to exercise his constitutional oversight role over the county government.

Cherargei claimed that Sifuna had neglected local accountability issues while focusing his political energy on national matters.

“The irony is that Senator Sifuna has failed to do oversight of Nairobi City County as per his mandate, yet he is busy oversighting the broad-based government,” Cherargei said.

He questioned Sifuna’s political messaging, arguing that the slogan “Linda Mwananchi”, which promotes protecting citizens, rings hollow when Nairobi residents are struggling due to what he termed inadequate oversight of essential county services.

“How can he say he promotes Linda Mwananchi yet wananchi of Nairobi City County are suffering for lack of oversight over the provision of emergency services?” Cherargei posed.

Nairobi floods

Heavy rains in Nairobi on Friday, March 6, 2026, triggered severe flooding in the CBD and several low-lying neighbourhoods, leaving a trail of destruction, causing deaths, displacing families, and damaging homes and infrastructure.

Authorities have yet to release comprehensive figures on casualties and losses, but emergency responders and residents reported extensive damage in areas prone to flooding.

Recovery efforts are still underway after many victims were swept away by fast-rising floodwaters, with some dying while inside vehicles that were carried away by the raging currents.

Nairobi Police Commander George Seda had earlier confirmed that 10 people had died but noted that the death toll could rise since recovery efforts were still underway.

According to the county police boss, who spoke to a local radio station, at least 71 vehicles were trapped or stranded across the city after major roads became impassable due to the heavy flooding.

The national government has since stepped in to coordinate response efforts as rescue teams continue to assess the situation and assist affected communities.

The disaster has reignited debate about urban planning, drainage systems, and disaster preparedness in the capital, with critics arguing that rapid urbanisation and poor infrastructure management have made Nairobi increasingly vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains.