Photo: Julius Mwelu/IRIN

A group of schoolchildren fight against the rain to get home in Nairobi, Kenya (file photo).

Nairobi — Bodies of two people washed away by the ongoing heavy rains have been retrieved from Nairobi River.

Police said there are fears more people may have been washed away by the rains that have been pounding the city since Friday causing devastating effects in most estates.

"The bodies were found in Kiambiu and Lunga Lunga slums," Nairobi Provincial Police chief Moses Ombati said.

Police believe the two may have been washed away while crossing the river.

The rains have also opened up drainage systems and sewer lines in various estates and left most roads impassable.

Most affected areas include Mbagathi Way, Lang'ata Road, Eastleigh and parts of Ngong road.

Residents in several city estates--including Lang'ata Kangemi and Umoja are counting losses after sewer water swept through into their houses.

Nairobi River has already burst its banks and there are fears of more devastating effects on slum dwellers along the river bank in Mathare, Mukuru slums among others.

"We are urging people to move away especially those around the river, we do not want to lose lives," the police chief said.

The Meteorological department has warned that the rain being experienced in other parts of the country including Nyanza, Rift Valley and Central Province is likely to persist for the next one month.

In Nairobi, the heavy downpour started on Friday night and went on until Sunday.