KeNHA Closes Kisii Bound Road After River Bursts Banks
KeNHA revealed that the flooding took place at the river bridge in Mugeni, located between Sotik and Chebilat.
Marvin Chege 
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Saturday, January 13 closed the Kaplong-Kisii Road after it was flooded at Kipsonoi River Bridge amidst heavy rainfall experienced across the country.
In a statement, KeNHA revealed that the flooding took place at the river bridge in Mugeni, located between Sotik and Chebilat.
"The water levels have risen above the bridge rendering passage unsafe. This follows heavy rainfall experienced in the catchment basins that led to a surge of runoff, especially this evening," stated KeNHA in part.
Road Closed
1/4 The Kenya National Highways Authority has closed Kaplong - Kisii Road. This has been occassioned by flooding of the road at Kipsonoi River Bridge, Mugeni, located between Sotik and Chebilat.
The water levels have risen above the bridge rendering passage unsafe. pic.twitter.com/zf45tP1sL0 — Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) (@KeNHAKenya) January 13, 2024
According to the highway authority, its staff have been on the ground monitoring the water levels the whole day and were earlier guiding motorists on the safe crossing sections.
Motorists plying this route were advised to use alternative routes as indicated below.
- Motorists headed to Chebilat and Keroka to go to Kaplong - Sotik - Roret - Ikonge - Chebilat - Keroka (paved).
- Those headed to Kisii to use Kaplong - Sotik - Roret - Ikonge - Kisii (paved).
"The Authority shall advise once the bridge is fully safe for crossing," assured KeNHA.
During the El Nino season, a series of roads across the country were rendered impassable due to floods and landslides resulting from heavy rainfall, affecting traffic flow and forcing the government to take action.
President William Ruto on November 25, 2023, revealed that he struck an agreement with the Ministry of Roads to have all contractors deployed on an emergency intervention basis to deal with the many roads destroyed as a result of the raging floods.
"All the road contractors in the different parts of Kenya will now be mobilised to provide emergency intervention services to make sure that roads are opened in different parts of Kenya and we are going to mobilise the resources necessary to make sure that contractors on the ground in different parts of Kenya are mobilised for emergency intervention activities," he stated.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) indicated that heavy rainfall was anticipated to continue in several parts of the country from January 14 to January 20.
Various regions are set to experience rainfall during that period, with a focus on Western Kenya, the Lake Victoria Basin and the Rift Valley.
Other targeted areas include the Central Highlands, including Nairobi, the Southeastern lowlands, and the Coast region.
The weatherman mentioned that rains might occasionally reach Isiolo and Samburu counties. Additionally, there is a chance of light rainfall in the northern parts of Turkana on Monday and Tuesday next week.
According to the weatherman, there is a possibility of isolated storms in specific areas. These include parts of the Highlands East of Rift Valley, Nairobi County, South Rift Valley, and the South-eastern lowlands.
The Meteorological Department urged citizens to stay informed about the weather updates and be prepared for any changes.
