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| A section of Garsen Lamu road flooded |
The Kenya Highways Authority (KeNHA) has closed Garsen-Witu-Lamu road between Gamba and Lango la Simba.
The authority said the road was temporarily closed after Tana River broke its banks.
“The ongoing heavy downpours experienced upstream have resulted in the Tana River breaking its banks and subsequent overtopping of the road thus hampering transportation activities,” KeNHA Director General Kungu Ndungu said in the notice.
While regretting the inconvenience caused to the users, the agency stated it will continue assessing the situation.
“The Authority will keep monitoring the situation and give further updates to the public in due course. The safety of the public on our roads remains our utmost priority,” it said.
This is not the first time the agency has closed the road due to the floods.
In December last year, heavy rainfall in the area led to the river bursting its banks resulting in flooding.
“The road is still completely submerged in the affected section,” the authority announced then.
Image: KeNHA/X
This, as it appealed to motorists to continue halting their travel until water levels subside and an assessment is done to ascertain if the road is passable.
“We will keep you updated as our team is on the ground monitoring the situation,” it said.
The ongoing floods have caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure like railway lines, roads and bridges in various parts of the country.
Speaking recently, Transport cabinet secretary Murkomen said his ministry is working to restore destroyed infrastructure and ensure undisrupted movement of people and goods to various destinations.
“Even as we do so, I wish to urge Kenyans to exercise caution as they use the roads. In particular, motorists and other road users should not underestimate any floodwaters,” he added.
by FELIX KIPKEMOI