Kenya flash floods death toll tops 45

NAIROBI:

Flash flooding after torrential rains in Kenya has killed at least 45 people and forced hundreds to leave their homes, police said Monday.

Torrential rains lashed the Kenyan capital Nairobi late Friday, turning major streets into rivers and flooding thousands of homes and businesses.

Police said Saturday that at least 23 people had died in Nairobi but search and rescue operations were continuing amid widespread devastation.

Police spokesman Michael Muchiri told AFP on Monday that the toll was now 45 people drowned and 2,224 displaced but gave no further details.

AFP reporters saw on Saturday heavily damaged roads and infrastructure from Nairobi's vast slums to upmarket areas.

"The river banks broke as the rains continued and cars were swept off and water flowed into our shops destroying property for many people," Frederick Wasonga, who sells car accessories in the city centre, said.