Thika-Garissa Road Severely Affected by Floods, Stranding Hundreds

Bangal – Relentless floods wreaked havoc on a section of the Thika-Garissa Road at Arer, approximately 41 kilometers from Bangali Town. The area, situated near the Junction where vehicles to Nairobi and Mombasa diverge, has become a scene of chaos, leaving hundreds of travelers stranded and grappling with the repercussions of the severe disruption.

The highway suffered substantial damage as floodwaters overwhelmed the road infrastructure, particularly impacting the right-hand side of the thoroughfare. Box culverts, unable to withstand the deluge, succumbed to the force of the water, exacerbating the destruction and hindering the flow of goods and people.

The consequences of the road damage are evident, with a line of vehicles stretching for kilometers in both directions, from Garissa to Thika. Stranded travelers not only face inconvenience but also potential health hazards as they navigate the challenges posed by the impassable road.

Abubakar Mohamed, a bus passenger from Garissa, shared with Garissa Today the struggles of traversing the damaged section on foot, revealing, “We have crossed the damaged part on foot, and now we’re waiting for the bus companies to organize passenger swaps, each returning to their point of origin.”

The gravity of the situation raises concerns about disease outbreaks and other problems, prompting authorities to urgently address the crisis. Despite the obstacles, travelers are displaying resilience, with motorists advised to exercise patience until water levels subside.

KENHA said it’s staff are actively engaged at the site, working diligently to restore traffic passage through the affected section of the road.

Garissa serves as the gateway to the North Eastern region, holding 75% of the country’s livestock wealth.

Kenya is currently grappling with heavy rainfall attributed to the El Nino climatic phenomenon. The intensity of the rainfall has resulted in the closure of major roads and bridges in several counties, including Mandera, Wajir, and Samburu.

Hospitals and public offices in these affected counties are submerged in water, presenting a dire situation. Other counties, such as Tana River, and Kilifi, remain at risk of flooding, heightening concerns for potential loss of lives and livelihoods.

Humanitarian actors are urgently calling for enhanced safety measures and protocols to minimize or prevent loss of life in these affected areas.

The Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts persistent rainfall across most of the country this week, with isolated storms expected to continue until December 2023.