By Standard Team
KENYA: Ongoing rains have paralysed transport in various parts of the country leaving motorists and passengers stranded.
Motorists using Maralal-Nyahururu Road have been stranded for two days after floods cut off road at Suguta Marmar following heavy rains.
Another section of the road, between Maralal and Rumuruti shopping centre, was also impassable.
Parents and students travelling ahead of schools’ reopening spend nights in the cold, as the only road connecting Samburu County to the rest of the country was damaged.
The situation has seen shortage of food hit Maralal town and surrounding areas. “Prices of foodstuff have skyrocketed. Some basic commodities like sugar are lacking in shops. We do not know how long this will take,” said Ms Rose Lempaa, a resident.
Traders ferrying perishable goods from Nyahururu to outlets in Maralal town complained of delays saying they were incurring huge losses due to poor state of roads.
Out of business
“Our products are going to waste. Transporters are demanding more money to cover for delays. This will drive many of us out of business,” said business lady Mary Nyawera.
Ms Nyawera, who was transporting a truckload of cabbage to Maralal town, said the produce was rotting.
At Loikas village, River Loikas burst its banks washing away huts.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee the village to escape floods. They appealed for assistance from the Government. “We need blankets, tents and food,” said Ms Jane Naini. Transport was also paralysed in Lodwar and Lokichoggio in Turkana County due to heavy rains.
Several vehicles plying Lodwar –Kitale Road have been stranded for the past 72 hours near Lodwar town. River Kawalase burst its banks.
Many passengers destined for Kitale and Southern Sudan were stranded on the banks of the river.
A heavy truck was swept downstream as its driver attempted to cross the flooded river. Lodwar Police Station commander Evans Omuga said the lorry tried to cross the flooded river. Omuga said the driver and the conductor were rescued.
–– Michael Saitoti, Lucas Ng’asike and Peter Ochieng.
