By Renson Mnyamwezi
COAST; KENYA: Public transport along the Mwatate-Taveta road was paralysed after heavy rains cut off a section of the road.
Hundreds of passengers were stranded and perishable goods being transported from Taveta to Mombasa’s Kongowea market went to waste following the floods.
Police and residents said the international road linking Kenya and Tanzania was extensively damaged at Salaita area near Taveta border town, causing heavy traffic jam.
Residents said their persistent pleas to have the road rehabilitated by the Government had landed on deaf ears. “We have been incurring heavy loses year after year. If tarmacked, the road would not only promote regional integration between the East African states, but also create wealth for employment and poverty alleviation,” said Barnaba, a local trader.
The incident comes barely a week after floods paralysed passenger train services along the Nairobi-Mombasa railway line. A bridge near Mtito-Andei Township was cut off hence disrupting rail transport for a week. Taveta Deputy OCPD Eshiphan Gichohi confirmed that public transport had stalled for two days.
