KeNHA Issues Advisory After Floods Destroy Refurbished Garissa-Wajir Road

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has advised motorists to be wary while using the Garissa-Modogashe-Wajir Road after part of it was destroyed by floods.

It is the second time a section of the road was destroyed by floods this year having been recently re-carpeted.

In a statement on Tuesday, November 7, the Authority alerted motorists regarding the partial closure of the section covering close to a kilometre.

Section of Garissa-Modogashe Road destroyed by floods on November 7, 2023. /KENHA KENYA

"The Kenya National Highways Authority notifies the public to take caution as they use the Garissa – Modogashe - Wajir (A13) Road due to a part washout of the Road about 45 kilometres from Modogashe town area - 102kms from Modika - along A13 Nuno - Modogashe Road," stated KeNHA in part.

"Motorists plying this route are hereby notified of a part closure of a section stretching about 900 Meters at Maalmin area (Baraki) at the Right Hand Side Lane (from Garissa towards Modogashe)."

KeNHA explained that the closure was occasioned by the heavy rains experienced in the area which led to flooding along the affected road section with flooding waters eroding murram at the approaches to culverts.

Motorists and passengers were therefore advised to avoid travelling at night, driving on off-road pathways, and driving in moving sheet water to avoid potential accidents and injuries.

"The Authority, led by the North Eastern Region engineers and inspectors are on site working round the clock to ensure restoration of transport.

"The public is urged to exercise patience as vehicles share the single lane at the affected section," assured KeNHA.

Images shared by the authority and seen by Viral Tea showed parts of the remaining tarmac hovering above rainwater, showing the extent of the damage due to flooding.

In March this year, floods that left at least 70 families homeless also washed away a major section of the two-lane 135 km tarmac road which was reportedly constructed at Ksh8.4 billion.

Over 150 buses, trucks, and small vehicles were left stranded on the sides of the road as KeNHA engineers worked to provide an alternative route.

The road is of huge importance as it serves Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, and Mandera towns along the border points between Kenya and Ethiopia.

The floods triggered by the ongoing rains continue to wreak havoc across the country, destroying segments of major roads, and thus affecting inter-county transport.