Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has attributed the recurring floods affecting several parts of the country to rapid urbanisation and construction activities that do not comply with proper urban planning guidelines.

Addressing the issue in a local TV interview on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Ruku said the increasing reports of devastating floods across the country are not just a question of preparedness since the authorities had been warned of the severity of the rains. He indicated that the Kenya Meteorological Department had issued warnings about very heavy rains across the country.

“This issue of floods is more complex than just preparedness. We knew, and the Meteorological Department had informed us about the very heavy rains. The floods are largely due to rapid urbanisation and construction that is not in line with urban planning. Additionally, tampering with drainage systems causes rainwater to become runoff, leading to flooding,” Ruku said.

The Cabinet Secretary attributes most of the floods to unregulated urban growth, which has seen buildings and other structures constructed without due regard for planning laws. He observed that many developers have disregarded zoning regulations and drainage requirements, creating conditions that are prone to flooding during heavy precipitation. This leads to rapid accumulation of rainwater as surface runoff that overflows roads, houses, and other community infrastructure.

Damages caused by floods

His comments are timely, after recent floods triggered by heavy rains across the country have caused widespread destruction and loss of life. Reports indicate that at least 49 people have died and more than 2,600 families have been displaced since the beginning of March 2026 as floodwaters swept through several counties, including Nairobi and parts of western and central Kenya.

Homes, roads, and businesses have been damaged, and rescue teams are still working to evacuate residents and support recovery in the affected areas.

Kenya Met report on rainfall intensity

The Kenya Meteorological Department has also said that while the amount of rain is expected to slowly decrease in some areas, there will still be occasional showers and heavy downpours in some places.

The weatherman’s most recent forecast for the week of 10 to March 16, 2026, said that rain could still fall in some areas of the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley, the South-Eastern Lowlands and the coastal region. This would increase the risk of localised flooding in areas that are already at risk.

Because of this, officials have told the public to be careful and keep following safety advice as the country enters the early part of the long rains season from March to May, which usually brings heavy rain and possible flooding in some areas of Kenya.