Transport sti*l disrupted over damaged roads

Transport on several parts of the country continued to be disrupted as a result of heavy rains that rendered several roads impassable.

In Kisumu, passengers remained stranded after the Ahero Bridge on the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway was rendered impassable following the overflow. The waters flooded most of Ahero town, causing significant damage and halting all activities in town. 

On the other hand, the River Nyando broke its banks at Ahero and crippled economic activities within the town, including halting transport for those accessing or leaving the town via the bridge.

Kisumu County Police Commander Alphonse Ombuya confirmed the Nyando River overflow at Ahero town, saying some residents have seized the opportunity to rob travellers of their belongings.

Police officers have since been deployed at the bridge to provide security and also to ensure people safely cross the overflowing river, which has equally marooned the Ahero police post, with members of the public now being asked to use alternative routes to and from Kisumu town.

Draining dam

In Nakuru, the county has commenced the draining of Moricho Dam in Visoi ward, Rongai sub-county, to reduce the potential of the dam overflowing, which could result in the damage to properties and loss of life due to the heavy rains and the overflow from Baringo hills.

This decision comes as the dam, which is a source of water for farmers, pastoralists and residents across Rongai sub-county, reached its full capacity due to the recent heavy downpours experienced throughout the country.

According to the Rongai sub-county Water Officer Paul Muhuhe the resolution underscores the implementation of precautionary measures against flood-related disasters as recently witnessed in Mai Mahiu.

Muhuhe said similar inspections and necessary interventions have been carried out at other dams, including Nyenda and Kwa Njane in Turi Ward, Molo sub-county, as well as Tuyotich Dam in Rongai, which are also undergoing spillway enhancements.

Meanwhile, residents of Kisumu County have appealed to the national government and leaders from the county government to unite and help open up clogged drainages so that river waters could drain into the lake to help assuage the dire flooding menace that has besieged most parts of the county.

Kochogo village clan elder Maurice Akoko pointed out that the River Nyando has burst its banks at various sections, yet their plea for help has fallen on deaf ears while the waters have marooned many of their homes.

Not accessible

He expressed fear that if no immediate intervention was instituted, then nearly every home in the village would not be accessible and many residents would lose their lives and property.

“Our plea is that the river should be redirected to its former path, which is not anybody’s farm, so that the waters could flow along its usual course; otherwise, over three villages will be marooned, and that is a critical matter that warrants even the attention and immediate intervention of the President. We appeal for the disaster fund to be immediately released to assuage this disaster, especially at Kadera and Wuodage beaches that should be dug using tractors to contain the waters from Nyando and prevent them from overflowing and marooning the surrounding villages,” appealed the elder.

Akoko claimed that the surrounding paths were only 9 metres wide due to the shoddy work of the engaged contractors, whom he alleged diverted some of the material that should have been used to lay the proper drainages and failed to lay the culverts as required.

He pleaded that the beaches at Wath Ageka and Adiereb be properly dug and opened so the waters could drain downstream.

At Uthiru 87, which is the border between Kiambu and Nairobi counties, a section of land has been washed away by water.

A small earthquake that occurred in the middle of the land eventually turned into a river, and as time passed, the entire area was swept away.

There is oozing water everywhere and new rivers flowing that the residents have never seen before, so they are afraid that their homes will be swept.

As a result of their suspicions that neighborhood waters are flowing beneath their homes and posing a risk, they are now calling experts to assess whether they are in danger.

The church building and it’s perimeter fence and the land slide that caused the least amount of damage were destroyed.

Elsewhere, the National Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee of Transport and Infrastructure, who is also Ndia MP George Kariuki, has announced plans for road and school reconstruction following the destruction occasioned by the heavy rains.