Floods cut off transport on key roads

By Edwin Cheserek and James Munyeki

Transport along several roads in various parts of the country has been paralysed due to flooding.The flash floods have washed away bridges and sections of various roads disrupting transport.

In Marakwet East District, floodwater washed away bridges and sections of roads.

Tot-Biretwa Road was extensively resulting into a transport crisis.

Similarly, Cheptarbei Bridge, which connects farmers in the region to various markets was destroyed.

Herders in Laikipia County shepherd their animals to safer grounds. [Photo: James Munyeki/Standard]

"Our produce is rotting in farms because we cannot access markets due to poor road network," said Peter Kihara, a banana farmer.

He said mango and tomato farmers are counting losses after lorries ferrying the produce ended their journeys at the damaged bridge.

Transport along Kerio Valley to towns such as Iten and Eldoret was also hampered. Mr Luka Ng’arengan, chairman of Marakwet farmers said Mon River changed its course, destroying the bridge.

Spend the night

He urged Ministry of Roads to repair worst affected sections of the road. "The road has been completely cut off. It is a disaster that requires urgent intervention from relevant authorities," said Ng’arengan.

In Laikipia, transport along Rumuruti-Maralal Road was paralysed after a section of the highway was washed away.

The section near Magadi area was damaged over the weekend forcing travellers to spend the night in the cold as they waited for rains to subside.

Matatus plying the route cancelled their schedules. Laikipia West DC Otieno Odidi blamed rising cases of insecurity on poor road network. Heavy rains have worsened the situation.

Mr Odidi said security officers have found it hard to access crime prone areas since many roads are impassable. He took issue with Maralal Road, which has contributed to cases of cattle rustling along Samburu-Laikipia border.

"We have been finding it hard to increase police patrols along the road since it is in bad state. Our officers cannot access areas, which are prone to banditry," he noted.

He blamed Kenya Highway Roads Authority for failing to rehabilitate the road despite numerous requests since it connects the region to Samburu.

"This is the only road that connects the area to Samburu and Northern Kenya and yet it is in poor state. It is our concern that the authority has failed to rehabilitate it after Roads minister Franklin Bett issued a directive," noted the administrator.

Safer grounds

Other roads, which have hampered provision of security, are Rumuruti-Nanyuki, Ol Moran-Kinamba and Sipili Rumuruti. Meanwhile, people living in landslide prone areas in Marakwet have been advised to relocate to safer grounds.

Local MP Linah Kilimo asked the over 300 families to move to avert disaster. "We are urging them to relocate to other areas because the place is susceptible to landslides," said Kilimo. Two years ago, 11 people were buried alive after landslides struck Cheptundu and Kaben villages.