Nairobi, May 2 -- Floods in Kenya killed at least 169 people between March and April 2024.

The most catastrophic of these deaths occurred after a flash flood swept through a rural village killing 42 people. Death and destruction have also occurred in the capital, Nairobi, a stark reminder of the persistent failure to keep abreast of the city's rapid urbanisation needs.

Sean Avery, who has undertaken numerous flood and drainage studies throughout Africa, unpacks the problems and potential solutions.

Are floods in Kenya causing more damage? If so, why?

Floods are the natural consequence of storm rainfall and have an important ecological role.

They inundate flood plains where silts settle, riverbed aquifers are recharged, and nutrients ...