Repair works on Mombasa Road to begin as route floods- Murkomen

Heavy rains cause flooding along Mombasa road in Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says repairs on Mombasa Road to solve the flooding and drainage challenges witnessed in the last couple of days are underway.

Some Nairobi roads have been impassable as a result of heavy downpours and floods, posing a danger to motorists and pedestrians.

The roads, whose troubles Murkomen attributes to "percolation challenges" include Mombasa Road especially Bunyala Road roundabout, Nyayo Stadium roundabout, Capital Centre, and Imara Daima road section outside Imara mall.

"I have instructed road agencies under the Ministry to resolve the flooding challenges so as to ensure the safety of motorists and smooth flow of traffic," the CS said in a circular dated Friday, March 24.

Murkomen says that rehabilitation on Mombasa Road will take at least 18 months (one and a half years) to complete.

"The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), is under strict instructions to undertake immediate drainage procedures along Mombasa Road and other affected areas. The Authority has put in place measures to unclog the drainage systems," the CS assured.

Motorists and road users have been urged to exercise caution when on roads during the rainy season, to avoid injuries and accidents.

According to the weatherman, several parts of the country will continue receiving heavy rainfall.

The downpour has resulted in flash floods in various parts of the country, rivers breaking their banks, and heavy flow of traffic on busy roads.

Nairobi roads such as Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, and Lang'ata Road were not spared either.