Flooding nightmare for road users as heavy rainfall pounds Nairobi
Several roads within Nairobi County and across the country have been rendered impassible due to heavy rainfall that has been pounding several parts of the country in the last few days.
On of the most badly affected roads is the busy Mombasa Road. In a statement, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said he has instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) to undertake immediate drainage procedures along the highway and other affected areas.
“We have already enlisted the services of contractors to begin repair works along Mombasa Road which was badly damaged when the Expressway was being constructed,” Mukomen said.
Mr Mukomen pointed out several roads affected, which include Mombasa Road (A8), specifically Bunyala Road roundabout, Nyayo Stadium roundabout, Capital Centre and Imara Daima road section outside Imara mall.
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The CS has also instructed road agencies under his ministry to resolve the flooding challenges to ensure the safety of motorists and the smooth flow of traffic. The CS noted that the floods have been occasioned by the sketchy construction of roads beneath the completed Nairobi Expressway.
“The work is expected to be completed in one and a half years. In the meantime, even as we complete the contractual protocols with the incoming contractors, Kenha has put in place measures to unclog the drainage systems thereof.”
Motorists using the affected roads have been advised to exercise caution when approaching flooding zones to avoid injuries and accidents associated with flash flooding even as the government steps up its measures.
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“The Ministry is committed to offering long-term solutions to deal with the issue of flooding on our roads through proper designing of our roads and unclogging of existing drainage systems among others.”
Apart from Mombasa Road, other areas which have been affected by floods include Thika Highway (Ngara, Fig Tree area), Enterprise Road in Industrial Area, Nairobi CBD and Maai Mahiu Road.
On Thursday, motorists using Maai Mahiu Road were stranded for hours after the road was blocked by debris due to heavy rains in the area.
“Motorists planning to use the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Narok Highway are informed of an ongoing clearance of the overburden after last night’s heavy rainfall which resulted in flooding and extensive deposition of eroded material on the road from Maai Mahiu towards Narok and 6 Kilometres from Duka Moja,” Kenha said in a statement.
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