Cleanup underway - Nairobi floods kill at least 50 as residents salvage belongings

Severe flash floods have caused widespread damage after sweeping through Nairobi on Thursday, leaving at least 50 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.

Footage shows streets awash with murky water and shops covered in mud as residents work tirelessly to salvage their belongings from the wreckage.

"These floods have been occurring year in, year out, but this time it was so sudden and intense," remarked a local.

Locals report that the flooding is not simply a result of heavy rainfall, but stems from longstanding systemic failures in infrastructure and drainage.

"Poor infrastructure contributed a lot to the flooding, coupled with negligence of the county department in charge of cleaning, as all the drainage is clogged with rubbish," said a local.

"We tried to reach out to the county government for help, but we received none. We have had to deal with the challenge alone, trying to salvage the little that remains. The drainage system was all clogged, and that’s how our shops got flooded. We are lucky to be alive," added another.

According to reports, over 147,000 people have been displaced nationwide due to the flooding, with severe damage to major roads and highways. Power outages have also been reported in several states, while the Kenyan Meteorological Department has issued evacuation warnings to residents in low-lying areas.

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