Commuters urge quick repair of damaged section of Gamba Road in Lamu

Commuters on the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route are pleading with the state to urgently repair a damaged section of the Gamba Road.

In May 2024, the section was destroyed by floods. This hampered transportation along the route, resulting in suffering among road users.

Vehicles from Mombasa or Lamu had to stop at Gamba, with travellers from either side having to cross over by boat.

After two weeks of suffering, the state opted to temporarily resolve the problem by filling the destroyed section with blocks and ballast. This enabled continued transport on the route.

The state, however, promised to ensure full construction of the Gamba section is undertaken within a few weeks.

Six months down the line, however, no action has been taken to fully reconstruct the road, with commuters complaining of the difficulties they go through while crossing the damaged section.

Omar Ahmed, a shuttle driver plying the Lamu-Witu-Garsen route, wondered why the repair of the destroyed section was taking so long to be actualised despite former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen having visited Gamba and promised urgent action.

“As drivers, we’re suffering every time we reach Gamba. The section filled with blocks and ballast is too narrow. You can’t overtake there. Two vehicles can’t pass at the same time. You’ve to take turns while crossing.  Something needs to be done urgently,” said Omar.

Said Swaleh, a conductor with one of the bus companies plying the route, expressed worry that Gamba will again be swept away if heavy rains start.

Swaleh insisted on the need for the government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), to urgently come in to permanently solve the Gamba problem.

Travellers are worried that if the damaged Gamba Road section is not repaired, it may be washed away by rain. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

“We were told that the government would allocate about Sh30 billion to repair roads and bridges destroyed by floods due to heavy rains that pounded the country early this year. That means the Gamba section was part of the infrastructure to benefit from that cash. Why then is it neglected? We need work to be done fast,” said Swaleh.

Johnson Mbuthia, a motorist, accused the government of negligence in repairing the destroyed Gamba section.

Mbuthia said roads and bridges in other parts of the country that were cut off by floods were repaired a long time ago.

“We’ve seen roads and bridges that were swept away by floods almost at the same period as ours having already been repaired. This marginalisation should stop,” said Mr Mbuthia.

Contacted, Lamu County Commissioner Wesley Koech said he was in talks with KeNHA officials to see what can be done at the Gamba section.

Koech, however, suspected that issues to do with funding are the ones delaying repair, not only at the Gamba Road section but others in the northern Kenya counties also destroyed by the floods.

“The Gamba Road section is majorly on the side of Tana River County but still, we’re following up on the issue. I believe funding is a key factor delaying the repair of the road section,” said Koech.

“We also have other destroyed infrastructure in Madogo, Garissa and others which are yet to be repaired. We’re in talks with the KeNHA regional manager to get an update on the Gamba issue and many others. I urge patience.”

The Lamu-Witu-Garsen road is the only connection for those going to Lamu by road from the rest of the country.