Floods wreak havoc as Turkana manyattas swept away

Transport was disrupted in parts of Turkana on Tuesday as heavy rains continued to pound the county.

Several rivers burst their banks, halting transport on the Kenya-South Sudan highway.

In Lodwar Town, a truck was swept by raging waters as it crossed a swollen River Kalawase.

Three occupants, including the driver, were rescued by divers.

Traffic County Commander Japheth Ogamba earlier warned motorists against driving across swollen rivers.

Ogamba advised motorists to wait for raging waters to subside before crossing.

The rains started two weeks ago, leading to floods in several villages across the county after months of drought.

In Turkana West, two villages - Lokangai A and Lokongai B - were marooned by floods after River Tarach burst its banks.

Lorau chief Donald Ekuwam said the floods started at 8am.

He added that floods swept through several manyattas in an area occupied by several families.

Several access roads were destroyed by the floods, making the area inaccessible.

Song'ot MCA Bethuel Lochor said the situation was dire and called for urgent humanitarian aid.