By Elvine Ouma
The months of March, April and May 2024 brought relentless rainfall to Nairobi, flooding informal settlements like Kibera and leaving many residents struggling to cope.
For persons with disabilities, however, the challenges went beyond the rising waters, highlighting systemic inequalities in urban infrastructure and disaster preparedness.
Andy*, a person of short stature, resident of Kibera slums and a project officer, said that navigating the flooded streets was a nightmare.
“During the floods, stepping out of my house felt like preparing for battle,” she said.
“The water was unpredictable. Sometimes it’s ankle-deep, sometimes it’s waist-high for me, and I don’t always know what’s underfoot.”
Kibera, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement, was particularly hard-hit as poor drainage systems and uncollected garbage worsened the flooding.
Streets turned into rivers of murky water filled with debris and sewage, creating hazards for everyone—but especially for those who rely on assistive devices like wheelchairs and crutches.
Elina*, who uses crutches to walk, lost them to the floodwaters one morning. “The current just swept them away,” she recalled. “Without my crutches, I couldn’t go to work. I was stuck for days trying to figure out how to replace them.”
Maria*, who uses a wheelchair, shared a similar ordeal. “The water hides everything—potholes, broken bottles, sharp metals,” she said, adding, “I can’t risk wheeling through that. On top of that, the blocked roads from garbage make it feel like the city has turned against us.”
For many people with disabilities, losing an assistive device isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a financial and logistical crisis.
Replacing a wheelchair or crutches can take weeks and cost more than many can afford. “I can’t just buy a new wheelchair if mine is damaged,” Marina said. “Even finding a place to repair it can take weeks.”
The flooding also had economic repercussions. Andy feared losing her job in case of being unable to reach her workplace in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
“During the rains, my boss gives me that look, the one that says, ‘Maybe you’re not cut out for this,’” she said. “I can’t risk losing my job, but I also can’t risk my life trying to wade through this mess.”
Beyond the physical and financial challenges, people with disabilities also face social barriers during the floods. Andy described being carried by strangers without consent.
“During the floods, men lift me without asking first,” Andy shared. “They mean well, but I feel humiliated and unsafe. I’ve even been groped while being carried. If only they’d ask, I could explain how to help without violating my dignity.”
“Most people don’t realize how their actions can harm us. Even well-meaning help can turn into harassment or humiliation,” she noted.
During one incident, she lost her purse—which contained her phone, cash, and house keys—after an uncoordinated attempt to assist her.
“I appreciate that he tried to help, but if he had asked, I could have explained how to support me without causing more harm,” she said.
Mary Murwa, a disability rights advocate, is calling for urgent reforms to address these issues. She argues that the government must invest in proper drainage systems, provide financial assistance for replacing assistive devices, and educate the public on how to offer help respectfully.
As Nairobi’s infrastructure struggles to keep up with the impacts of climate change, persons with disabilities are urging authorities to include them in disaster planning and recovery efforts.
NOTE: Names used are not the real ones as sources preferred to remain anonymous.