The death toll from severe flooding in Kenya has risen to 42 since Friday after heavy rains triggered flash floods across several regions, police said on Sunday.

Authorities said 26 of the deaths were recorded in the capital Nairobi, where floodwaters swept through low-lying neighbourhoods and informal settlements, submerging homes and carrying away vehicles as rivers overflowed their banks.

Emergency teams continued search and rescue operations in several parts of the city and surrounding areas.

Police said fatalities were reported in multiple counties as torrential rains battered large parts of the country over the weekend, flooding roads and disrupting transport and daily activities in several towns.

Government to cover victims' hospital expenses

Public Service and Special Programmes Minister Geoffrey Ruku confirmed the death toll while speaking to reporters on Sunday, saying the government had deployed emergency response teams to assist affected communities.

Ruku also announced that the government would cover hospital expenses for people injured in the floods and burial costs for families who lost relatives in the disaster.

Authorities said the support aims to ease the burden on households affected by the tragedy.

Floodwaters have caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure in parts of Nairobi and other regions, while rescue teams continue evacuating residents from inundated areas.