Home / Northern-Kenya

Business, transportation grind to halt in North Eastern as heavy rains wreak havoc

Hundreds stranded following the closure of the Kona Punda section of the Garissa-Nairobi road. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

By Issa Hussein | 27 Apr 2024

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officially closed the road, deeming it unsafe for motorists and pedestrians due to flooding.

Transport and transport operations have come to a standstill in North Eastern since Friday afternoon, with the closure of key roads due to River Tana floods and heavy rains between Wajir and Mandera counties.

More than 15 bus companies, operating between Nairobi and the North Eastern counties of Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera, have ceased operations in Eastleigh, Nairobi and the affected counties.

Keep reading

In Garissa town, six bus companies operating between Garissa and Nairobi, as well as Garissa-Mombasa routes, have also suspended operations following the closure of the Kona Punda section of the Garissa-Nairobi Road.

Hundreds stranded following the closure of the Kona Punda section of the Garissa-Nairobi road. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officially closed the road, deeming it unsafe for motorists and pedestrians due to flooding and damage caused by the River Tana bursting its banks.

"The flood waters have overtopped sections of the A3 road at Mororo and Kona Punda area. Based on an assessment by our engineers, the road section at the moment is not safe for use by motorists and pedestrians," said KeNHA.

Mohamed Osman, a truck driver from Nairobi, one of the 38 drivers affected, lamented the dire situation faced by those stranded due to the floods.

"Hundreds were forced to spend in the cold, some had no food to eat, especially mothers and children. Other passengers were robbed of their mobile phones and other belongings," he said.

Busses operating in Wajir, Mandera and Nairobi with more than 150 passengers on board forced to return to Madogashe to access Nairobi via Madogashe -Meru road. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

Aden Ahmed, a high school student returning to Mandera from Nairobi, expressed deep concern over the plight of the stranded passengers, echoing the sentiments of many affected by the River Tana floods.

"I appeal to the government to come to our rescue and also provide security," he said.

Buses from Wajir and Mandera have been forced to turn back to the Madogashe Road, nearly 122 km away, to access Nairobi via the Madogashe-Meru route.

Abdi Aden a driver with Ambasa bus said they were exploring a route they never used before.

"We cannot return these passengers to Mandera and Wajir, we have no option but to try the Madogashe-Meru route to access Nairobi. I don't know how long the journey will take," he claimed.

Some of the vegetables being ferried by the traders. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

Several booking offices in Garissa have suspended operations, with staff members citing the road closure as the reason.

Yussuf Hussein, Deputy Manager of Dalsan Bus plying the Garissa-Mombasa route, confirmed the suspension of their services.

Additionally, Mohamud Magan, a milk supplier from Githunguri in Garissa town, reported disruptions in their business due to the transportation crisis.

"If the flood waters do not subside in the coming two days, the supply of vegetables and fuel in Garissa town will be affected," Magan said.

Abdinur Hussein, chairman of the North Eastern branch of the Kenya Red Cross, highlighted the widespread impact of the heavy rains on road infrastructure, particularly affecting travel between Wajir and Mandera. He also noted flooding on the road between Habaswein and Wajir town.