Garissa town residents call for urgent drainage fix as floodwaters swamp businesses, homes
Along Kismayu Road in Garissa town, several business premises were also flooded, prompting traders to call on the Garissa Municipality to unclog drainage systems to avert a larger crisis.
Heavy rains that pounded Garissa town on Saturday left several homes and business premises submerged, even as hundreds of kilometres away in Wajir, desperate residents gathered to pray for rain.
In Garissa's Iftin Ward, the worst-affected area, residents blamed the flooding on poor workmanship on a newly constructed road, saying it diverted stormwater into their homes.
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Ali Ismail Baraki, a resident of Iftin, said the flash floods were almost displacing families along the road where poorly built culverts channelled water directly into residential areas.
"We can't understand why shoddy road works are done to cause suffering to the community. We are appealing to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) to urgently intervene and assess the damage caused by this poorly designed road," said Ali.
Flooded business premises along Kismayu road in Garissa. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
He warned that with more rain expected, the situation could deteriorate further if corrective action is not taken immediately.
Along Kismayu Road in Garissa town, several business premises were also flooded, prompting traders to call on the Garissa Municipality to unclog drainage systems to avert a larger crisis.
Fatuma Aden, a shop owner along the busy street, said she suffered losses after her retail shop was swamped by floodwaters.
"The culvert that should allow water to flow freely is completely clogged with garbage and plastic bottles. The municipality must act fast before we lose everything," Fatuma lamented.
Traders at Soko Mugdi Market echoed her concerns, urging authorities to clear drainage channels and enforce anti-littering regulations to prevent further blockages.
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to the flooding in Garissa, hundreds of residents in neighbouring Wajir County converged at the Orahey Grounds seeking divine intervention as the region continues to reel under a devastating dry spell.
Muslim faithful gather at Orahey Grounds in Wajir to pray for rain. (Photo: Gacal Media)
The short rains - locally known as Deyr rains - have so far failed across most parts of Wajir, leaving herders desperate for water and pasture.
Led by religious leaders, the faithful performed Salatul Istisqa - special prayers for rain - where they urged one another to forgive and reconcile before dispersing.
"We are hopeful that our prayers will be answered and that Allah will have mercy on us," said Sheikh Abdirahman, one of the clerics leading the prayers.
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