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Hundreds stranded as floods destroy section of Garissa-Nairobi highway

Traffic snarl-up at Kona Punda in Maroro. River Tana floodwaters have destroyed a section of the crucial roadway. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

By Issa Hussein | 26 Apr 2024

Drivers expressed frustration with the government's failure to find a lasting solution to permanently repair the Kona Punda section.

Passengers travelling along the Garissa-Nairobi highway are facing a dire situation at Kona Punda in Maroro, Tana River County, after the River Tana floodwaters destroyed a section of the crucial roadway.

A visit by The Eastleigh Voice found that the majority of those affected are residents of Garissa, Bangal Sub-county in Tana River, and passengers travelling from Nairobi to Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera.

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Yussuf Adan, a conductor with Ryan Bus, expressed frustration, stating that their journey to Wajir was halted by the floods, which swept part of the road that had recently been repaired by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA).

"The water level is rising, and the situation is likely to worsen," Adan said. He highlighted the traffic jam on both sides of the road, with some drivers fearing being washed away due to their lack of expertise.

Some passengers from Nairobi opted to cross the flooded area on foot, carrying their luggage.

Aisha Mohamed, among those crossing on foot, expressed concern about the increasing volume of the water. She emphasised the need to cross while the water level was manageable, fearing they would be stranded in Madogo if it rose further.

"We need to be smart and cross while the water level is currently knee-high or else will be forced to sleep at Madogo once the level increases further," Aisha said.

Abdihakim Mohamed, a four-wheel driver commuting between Bangal Sub-county and Garissa town, voiced his concerns about the transport crisis affecting suppliers and customers alike. He hoped for the River Tana water level to subside soon.

"I am carrying over 500 litres of fresh camel milk to Garissa, the crisis will affect both the suppliers and the customers, I hope the River Water Water level will subside," says the driver.

Traffic snarl-up at Kona Punda in Maroro. River Tana floodwaters have destroyed a section of the crucial roadway. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

Drivers expressed frustration with the government's failure to find a lasting solution to permanently repair the Kona Punda section, which was temporarily fixed after being destroyed by the River Tana during last year's El Nino rains. They called for urgent intervention to restore the crucial road connection to the North Eastern region.

KeNHA issued a traffic advisory earlier in the day, warning motorists about rising floodwaters at the Tana River bridge in Mororo due to ongoing heavy rains. The authority cautioned about the risk of further flooding as the Seven Folks Dams is nearing full capacity.

With one lane of the A3 Road at Mororo already affected, KeNHA alerted motorists and pedestrians to the potential hazards posed by the increased water levels and ongoing rains.

"Currently a section of the A3 Road at Mororo has been compromised with one lane already affected," KeNHA said.

Three weeks ago, KeNHA closed the Kona Punda section of the road after it was washed away by River Tana floodwaters, reopening it after two days once the water levels subsided.