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Garissa leaders warn traders against hoarding after floods affect major highway

A screengrab of a flooded Nairobi-Garissa (A3) Road, which the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) closed on April 8, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

By Abdimalik Hajir | 10 Apr 2024

Businesses must not withhold goods and hike prices as this is illegal, religious and political leaders say.

Religious and political leaders have warned businesses in Garissa County against hoarding goods following floods that have cut off the Nairobi-Garissa Highway.

They noted on Wednesday that it is against Islamic and Kenyan laws for any business to hoard goods so action will be taken against those found doing so.

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"During the El Nino, many businesses created artificial shortages and hiked prices. We have talked to authorities ... action will be taken," Sheikd Hassan Amey told Muslims who gathered at the General Mohamud grounds for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.

Muslims at the General Mohamud grounds during Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on April 10, 2024. (Photo: Abdimalik Hajir)

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) closed the Nairobi-Garissa (A3) Road on Monday due to flooding. This was after recent heavy rains caused the Tana River to swell, leading to flooding in the Mororo area, between Madogo and the Tana River Bridge.

The flooding severely affected one lane of the Nairobi-Garissa (A3) Road, posing significant safety risks to motorists and other road users.

KeNHA reopened the highway on Wednesday, saying repairs to restore damaged sections had begun.

Nairobi - Garissa (A3) Road Open

1/3 KeNHA is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Nairobi - Garissa (A3) Road.
Sections of this Road were temporarily closed due to flooding at Arer and Mororo areas. The Authority has undertaken initial repairs and pic.twitter.com/BGp5qo851U
— Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) April 10, 2024

Other issues

The Garissa leaders also spoke about the power outages that have plagued the town for several weeks, saying an explanation must be given and the power supply stabilised.

"It's unfortunate that despite being connected to the national grid, Garissa still has power issues," Sheikh Hassan said.

Muslims at the General Mohamud grounds during Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on April 10, 2024. (Photo: Abdimalik Hajir)

Drugs and substance abuse also dominated the speeches of leaders and clerics, who asked the government not to relent in its war to eliminate the menace.

Last month, the National Government and Administrative Officers (NGAO), in partnership with the National Police Service (NPS), the county government, and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), mounted a crackdown targeting kiosks, illegal pharmacies and peddlers.

The crackdown, however, slowed down in April and leaders have warned that this could lead to a surge in the menace, with drug barons and peddlers resurfacing.

Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed Barow announced a conference bringing together all stakeholders, among them politicians, security apparatus, clerics, parents and the youth, to discuss lasting solutions to the drug and substance abuse problem.

"We all know what drugs have done to our society and that the situation worsens by the day," he said. "Our youth are wasting away and most of the social ills we are experiencing are the result of drug and substance abuse. We must all wake up to reality and act."

Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed and prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Mohamed Abdi at the General Mohamud grounds during Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on April 10, 2024. (Photo: Abdimalik Hajir)

Sheikh Abdullahi Salat, the Garissa chair of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), regretted that drug abuse in the area was on the rise, also noting that it is a big contributor to societal ills.

"The rate at which our youth are consuming drugs is alarming. We cannot continue like this. We are continuing to call for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the illegal business and need supportive laws."

The local leaders also decried the acute water shortage that has hit the town, saying it's unfortunate as the River Tana flows through it. They called on the county government to take actions to ensure the people have water and other basic needs.