“Negligence & Corruption”- Eric Omondi Blasts Leadership After Nairobi Floods Claim 25 Lives

Comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi has pointed an accusing finger at Nairobi’s leadership, blaming “systemic corruption and negligence” for the tragic deaths of at least 25 people during the torrential rains that battered the capital on Friday, March 6, 2026. After spending the day of Sunday, March 8, touring the city’s flood “hotspots,” Omondi released a scathing video report, arguing that the annual loss of life is a man-made disaster rather than a natural one.

A City Underwater

The heavy Friday downpour turned Nairobi’s major arteries—including Uhuru Highway, Thika Superhighway, and Mombasa Road—into rivers, leaving motorists stranded and vehicles partially submerged. The Kenya Red Cross reported widespread distress, with search and rescue teams deployed to hard-hit informal settlements like Mukuru, Mathare, and Kibra, as well as residential hubs in South C and Nairobi West.

Omondi, who has increasingly used his platform for social justice, questioned why the city remains trapped in a cycle of tragedy.

“I have spent the whole day in Nairobi city to try and find out kwa nini watu wanakufa (why people are dying); every year we must lose people,” Omondi stated. “The cause is very simple: drainage and garbage.”

Simple Problems, Complex Failures

According to Omondi’s assessment, the catastrophe stems from two basic failures: poor drainage infrastructure and uncollected garbage that chokes the city’s water channels. He argued that while the solutions are technically simple, they are hampered by leaders who prioritize personal gain over public safety.

“As usual, the problem is negligence and corruption from leaders, but that will soon be a thing of the past,” Omondi remarked, hinting at his “Sisi Kwa Sisi” movement’s vision for a “New Kenya.”

The Human Cost

While Governor Johnson Sakaja has previously advocated for the use of boats as a temporary measure during flooding, Omondi’s critique suggests that the public is tired of “survival tactics” and wants permanent infrastructure fixes. With the Kenya Red Cross confirming property damage and displacement across the Nairobi Metropolitan area, the comedian’s visit highlights a growing frustration among residents who feel that their taxes are not being used to protect them from predictable seasonal weather.

As the city enters the second week of March 2026, the cleanup continues, but the political storm sparked by the loss of 25 lives is only just beginning.