Kenyans brace for heavy El Niño rains as flood survivors recall their losses

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — For decades, Mary Okello has lived on the banks of a river in Kenya that floods every rainy season. But forecasts of heavier-than-usual rainfall across East Africa this autumn have sent chills down her spine, reminding her of how she lost all her belongings in 2024.

Okello was working at her hair salon when heavy rains began, forcing her to rush home and evacuate her five children. They watched as their belongings were washed away by water that eventually submerged all the houses in the area.

Since then, she says, she has had to move to higher ground in Mathare, an area of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where many residents live in houses built from corrugated iron sheets along the Mathare River, a major tributary of the Nairobi River.

Kenya's Meteorological Service Authority has warned that a super El Niño is expected to bring heavier rain from October to December, with November projected to be the peak of the season. The Kenya National Disaster Operations Centre urged people living in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground, saying 1.5 million people are at risk of being affected.

Scientists have predicted that this year’s El Niño, a temporary and natural warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator that affects weather patterns across the globe, could be the most intense one recorded.

In Nairobi and other major towns, government agencies have mobilized workers to clear drainage systems ahead of the rains. Houses built along the Nairobi River were demolished, leaving a recommended 30-meter (98-feet) buffer zone between the river and residential areas clear.

“I always get worried when I see people rebuilding along the river,” Okello said.

George Simeka, a poultry keeper and urban farmer who used to live along the Nairobi River, remembers hearing his neighbors scream during the 2024 floods.

Simeka has had to start his life afresh after his house and those of his neighbors were submerged.

He vowed to improve his flood defenses by planting trees along the riverbed, but authorities cut them down while clearing the land near the river.

A few meters from where Simeka once lived is Jackline Mueni, another survivor of the floods who has now relocated.

Mueni was unable to salvage any of her belongings when the water came. She remembers families losing important documents including birth certificates and identification cards, which can be difficult and costly to replace.

“I witnessed a lot of families suffering, especially women and children. Some died,” Mueni said.

Even when residents are willing to move away from flood-prone areas, Mueni said, poverty often limits their choices, especially with the rising cost of living. She said she now shares a small room with her children.

For many families, leaving the riverbank is not simply a matter of deciding to move. Finding safer housing requires money that they may not have.

A 2026 report by the World Resources Institute suggested that Nairobi is increasingly vulnerable to flooding because of longstanding failures in urban planning, continued wetland loss and inadequate enforcement of land use regulations, rather than rainfall intensity alone.

Nairobi County’s disaster management officer, Bramwell Simiyu, said sewage and garbage discharged from homes along the banks of the Mathare River ends up clogging the waterway, worsening flooding in Nairobi during periods of heavy rain.

He said cleanup operations were ongoing along the river to clear drains, improve water flow and reduce flooding.

Victor Ojoo, a Mathare resident, previously lost his source of income after floods washed away his pigs. Ahead of the rainy season, he is contributing to flood prevention efforts by cleaning up the river.

Simiyu added that one lesson from previous flooding disasters was the need for stronger coordination among agencies responding to emergencies.

Officials have identified about 172 venues where residents can take shelter in and be given food and medicine in case they needed to be evacuated, he said.

Technology will also play a larger role in the county’s emergency response plans.

The county plans to work with mobile service provider Safaricom to send timely alerts and other emergency information to residents ahead of disasters, he added.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission has warned that the expected rains could trigger a nationwide human rights and humanitarian crisis, particularly in communities already vulnerable to displacement, loss of livelihoods and limited access to essential services.

For more on Africa and development: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Youths clean the Mathare River to reduce flooding ahead of El Niño rains in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

Jackline Mueni stands inside her home after relocating when her previous home was swept away by floods in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

Residents clear drainage systems to reduce flooding ahead of El Niño rains in Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

A view of Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Kasuku)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Even after Jayden Daniels threw two interceptions and it looked like the Washington Commanders were hurtling toward a painful loss at the New York Giants, teammates remembered what it was like when the franchise quarterback burst onto the scene in 2024 and led some memorable comebacks in a magical rookie year.

“We felt it,” tight end Ben Sinnott said. “Being able to get another opportunity with the ball in our hands to go win it, it definitely took me back to that season.”

Daniels delivered, making up for his first two interceptions this year by connecting with Stefon Diggs on a go-ahead, 32-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left to complete a 24-21 victory Thursday night in what was essentially a must-win game.

“You could mess up the whole game but still have a chance to win,” said Daniels, who was 23 of 33 for 249 yards and also had TD throws to Sinnott and Antonio Williams while running 10 times for 28 yards.

Coming back keeps hope alive for the Commanders (3-5-1), who moved two games back of the NFC East-leading Giants (5-3-1) and now own the tiebreaker after the teams tied last month.

“It just gives you confidence we can go out there and compete and we can close out a game versus the top dog,” Daniels said. “Last time we played them it didn’t go the way that we wanted to or planned to, so we went out there and we improved from the last time. We responded when we had those moments.”

Daniels getting picked off by Jevon Holland on his 208th pass attempt and Ar'Darius Washington on his 211th looked like it would haunt Washington, which allowed J.J. McCarthy and Isaiah Likely to hook up for a 66-yard, go-ahead TD midway through the fourth quarter and saw Cam Skattebo run into the end zone twice.

But the Giants were unable to move the ball effectively enough on the ground to run the clock. One QB sneak by Winston was originally called a first down, but coach Dan Quinn challenged it and it got reversed.

Defensive lineman Deatrich Wise was adamant about Winston not getting it, simply, “Because I stopped him.”

Winston tried to get the Commanders to jump offside with a hard count of “Who Let the Dogs Out” — with a series of barks — but that did not work and New York kept giving Daniels the ball back by punting the ball multiple times.

“It’s a missed opportunity, certainly, but it doesn’t change things for us,” coach John Harbaugh said. “There is still a lot of football to play. We played well — just not well enough. We worked hard for this, but you can’t let it bring you down. This was one that got away.”

Aided by a pass interference call, Washington marched down the field and got in striking range. Diggs broke open and was able to walk and fall backwards into the end zone to celebrate his 80th career TD reception. He's the 30th player in league history to reach that mark.

McCarthy threw for a career-high 293 yards in his first home start for New York since a trade from Minnesota in late September but was intercepted by Rasul Douglas in the final minute, sending fans to the exits.

“It’s easy to second-guess the final two passes,” McCarthy said. “The pressure was coming. It’s one-on-one outside. I wanted to give my playmaker a chance. This football team is going to get better from this. I know it.”

Washington’s Drew Stevens made a 46-yard field goal, while New York’s Dominic Zvada missed a 33-yard attempt wide left. Zvada is 8 of 14 since making nine in a row to start his NFL career.

“You can’t start firing guys left and right,” Harbaugh said. “I believe in him. He’s going to make kicks for us.”

Commanders: Tight end Chig Onkonkwo left in the second quarter with a back injury and returned after halftime.

Giants: Safety Jason Pinnock left with a back injury early in the third quarter.

Commanders: Host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Nov. 23.

Giants: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 22.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (82) leaps over New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (25) to avoid a tackle during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (44) runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Shy Tuttle (96) and safety Percy Butler (35) defend during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Washington Commanders cornerback Rasul Douglas (29) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (3) runs toward the end zone to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs (3) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)