Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) closed the Modogo – Garissa stretch that is part of the Garissa – Nairobi highway after floods cut through the road, rendering it impassable to both motorists and residents.
The highway is not only the entry point to North Eastern but the major supply route to the region. Trucks supplying groceries and foodstuffs are stuck in the Tula area as they cannot cross the flooded road.
Further, the Garissa – Hola – Mombasa Road was also closed to traffic by KeHNA as floods swept away two sections of Dokanotu and Bilbil as the relentless El-Nino-induced rains continued to pound several parts of the country.
According to KNA, residents have called on the national government to redesign the two major roads and construct bridges to allow flood water to pass through without cutting off the roads.
Addressing the press at Arer, Alex Njeru, a community leader and Garissa-based businessman, warned that in the coming weeks, Garissa town will run out of food supplies and fuel if the highway is not urgently opened up to traffic.
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Arer is among the three Nairobi – Garissa highway sections that the floods have cut off. Bus companies plying the Garissa – Nairobi and Garissa – Mombasa routes have suspended their services.
“It pains to helplessly watch as the road continues to be destroyed by the floods. This means that Garissa will soon run out of food, and fuel, and more critical is that those who need urgent medical treatment in Nairobi will just die. No planes are landing in Garissa because the airstrip is not safe,” Njeru said.
“I am requesting the national government to redeem the situation before it gets worse. We are told the dams have not started overflowing. When it happens, I don’t know. We want the government to do something.”
Sala Ward MCA Mohamed Barrow said that all villages along the river Tana are submerged and require urgent relief assistance among them tents, foodstuff, mosquito nets, drugs, and other non-food items.
At least 90 people have lost their lives, and thousands of families displaced as the El-Nino-caused rains continue to wreak havoc across the country.
