Kenya’s National Police Service reported on Saturday that the death toll from weeks of heavy rain and flooding has risen to 108. The floods, which began on March 6, have caused extensive damage across the East African nation, sweeping away vehicles, disrupting air travel, and damaging electrical infrastructure. Authorities said more than 2,700 families have been displaced nationwide.

Although rainfall intensity has decreased in some areas, police warned that poor drainage and waterlogging continue to pose flooding risks. In early March, overnight downpours in Nairobi led to flash floods that killed at least 23 people, swept away dozens of cars, and disrupted flights at the city’s main airport. Since then, fatalities and damage have continued to rise throughout the month.

Meteorologists and environmental scientists cited global warming as a factor worsening floods and droughts across East Africa. A 2024 World Weather Attribution study found that climate change has doubled the likelihood of destructive rainfall in the region.

At least 81 people have died in Kenya this March following continuous heavy rains that triggered flash floods across large parts of the country, authorities said on Sunday. The worst-hit areas include the capital Nairobi, where 37 deaths were reported. Thousands of families have been displaced, and extensive damage to infrastructure and property has been recorded. In Kisumu County, entire villages were submerged, destroying about 1,200 hectares of farmland. In Nyakach, over 3,000 families lost their homes, and residents sought refuge in eight overcrowded shelters.

Local reports described residents wading through knee-deep water and using boats to evacuate. Rising water levels near the Nairobi Dam prompted evacuation warnings amid fears of a possible breach, though the dam remained intact. Police confirmed that 2,690 families were displaced nationwide. Landslides in western Kenya also caused fatalities and buried several homes. Critics have called for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s resignation, citing unfulfilled promises to improve drainage and road infrastructure.

Meteorological forecasts predict continued rainfall until Tuesday, and authorities have urged extreme caution. Scientists cited in the report link the intensifying weather patterns to human-induced climate change, which has increased both heavy rainfall and droughts in East Africa over the past two decades.

Kenyan authorities reported that at least 62 people have died in severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall across the country. The death toll, previously 42 a week earlier, rose sharply as rivers overflowed and infrastructure was damaged. The Kenya Red Cross said 11 people were rescued from a minibus trapped in floodwaters in Nairobi, while two children were saved from a submerged house.

Continuous rainfall over the past week has led to widespread flooding, damaging homes, roads, power, and water systems. A bridge collapse in Nairobi forced the closure of key roads, and several schools were inundated. The Interior Ministry warned that ongoing heavy rains could worsen the situation and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to safety. More than 2,000 people have already taken shelter in relief centers.

President William Ruto announced that emergency food and medical aid were being delivered to affected communities, and drainage clearing operations were underway. Experts cited poor urban planning and climate change as major factors behind the disaster, noting that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of extreme rainfall events.

Kenyan authorities have arrested a Chinese citizen, Zhang Kekun, at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 2,000 queen ants out of the country. The insects, identified as Messor cephalotes, are protected under international biodiversity conservation agreements, and their trade is strictly regulated. Security officers discovered the ants packed in specialized test tubes and tissue paper rolls inside Zhang’s luggage, which was bound for China.

Prosecutor Allen Mulama told the court that 1,948 ants were found in test tubes and another 300 hidden in tissue rolls. Investigators requested permission to conduct forensic examinations of Zhang’s electronic devices. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stated that investigations are ongoing in other cities where ant collection is suspected, and more arrests may follow.

KWS had previously warned of rising demand for these garden ants in Europe and Asia, where collectors keep them as pets. In May of the previous year, a Kenyan court sentenced four individuals for a similar smuggling attempt, marking the country’s first such case.

A small tourist aircraft flying along Kenya’s coast has crashed, raising fears that all 12 people on board have perished. According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft was en route to the private Kichwa Tembo airstrip near Masai Mara National Park when it went down early Tuesday morning, around 5:30 a.m. local time. The plane had departed from Diani, a popular tourist destination, before losing contact with air traffic controllers. Rescue teams and government agencies have rushed to the crash site to investigate the cause of the accident. While officials have not released further details, authorities have confirmed that all passengers were aboard the ill-fated flight. This tragedy comes just months after another deadly crash in August, when an Amref aircraft went down near Nairobi, killing six people and injuring two others.

Violent clashes broke out across Kenya during anti-government protests held to mark the anniversary of last year’s deadly tax hike demonstrations. At least 16 people were killed—most by police gunfire—and nearly 400 injured. Protesters rallied in major cities including Nairobi, demanding President William Ruto’s resignation. Despite barricades, they carried flags and placards, setting fires and clashing with police. Tear gas, water cannons, and batons were used to disperse crowds. Several court buildings were set ablaze, and hospitals reported dozens of gunshot victims.