Nairobi Flood Crisis Claims 24 Lives as Motoring Expert Issues Urgent Vehicle Safety Protocols for Raging Waters

Nairobi expert Earl Karanja shares life saving vehicle safety tips after floods leave 24 dead. Learn how to survive submerged cars and prevent engine failure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 7:25 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO

The Immediate Escape Protocol for Submerged Motorists

In the wake of a catastrophic flooding event on March 6 that swept away dozens of vehicles in Nairobi, motoring expert Earl Karanja emphasizes that personal safety must supersede property preservation. According to Karanja, the most vital action a driver can take when a vehicle begins to submerge is to unhook the seatbelt immediately, well before electronic systems succumb to water damage. This prevents the high risk of entrapment that occurs when locking mechanisms fail, leaving occupants with a narrow window to lower windows and flee to higher ground.

Strategic Abandonment Over the Submarine Illusion

The devastation in estates like South C and Kibra has highlighted the futility of remaining inside a vehicle during flash floods, a choice Karanja warns is often fatal. Regardless of whether a car is a basic model or a high end luxury vehicle, it is not designed to function as a submarine and will inevitably be swept away by the sheer force of the current. According to Karanja, motorists must ditch their cars once the water level rises significantly, as witnessed during recent rescues where several passengers only survived by disembarking from a matatu and forming human chains to reach safety.

Mechanical Safeguards for Navigating Shallow Waters

For those forced to navigate through shallow or receding waters, the technical handling of the vehicle determines whether the engine survives the journey. Karanja recommends shifting to a low gear, specifically the first gear in manual transmissions, to maintain steady and high RPMs. According to Karanja, keeping the engine speed consistent is essential because a drop in RPMs allows water to enter the exhaust pipe, which leads to immediate stalling and catastrophic engine failure in the middle of the flow.