Traffic Advisory Issued After Floods Destroy Part Of Chemelil-Muhoroni Road

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has advised motorists to use alternative routes after a section of the Chemelil-Muhoroni Road was rendered impassable by floods.

The Authority in a statement on Monday, November 6 attributed the destruction of the section of the road that links the city of Kisumu, to the towns of Miwani, Kibigori, Chemelil, all in Kisumu County, to the town of Muhoroni, to the heavy rains that occurred on Sunday night.

"Traffic Advisory: A portion of the Chemelil - Muhoroni Road, located 2.5 kilometres from Chemelil, has been rendered impassable due to heavy rainfall from last night," stated KeNHA.

A Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) sign on a highway. /KENHA

"This has disrupted traffic between Chemelil and Muhoroni. The Authority is diligently working to restore normalcy."

As the repairs continued, KeNHA advised motorists to use the following detours: Those travelling from Chemelil to Muhoroni could go through Chemelil- Awasi- Kipsitet- Muhoroni.

Furthermore, those from Muhoroni to Chemelil could use the Muhoroni- Kipsitet- Awasi- Chemelil route.

This is the second road, according to KeNHA, that has been rendered impassable in the past few days due to the ongoing rains.

On Friday, November 3, the Meru - Mikinduri - Maua Highway was rendered impassable by a landslide, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

Photos shared by the authority showed mounds of mud from the landslide cut off a section of the road as many parts of the country experienced heavy rainfall.

A second landslide that occurred 24 hours later prompted the closure of the major road.

“KeNHA wishes to notify and caution motorists plying the Meru - Mikinduri - Maua (B102) Road of a second landslide that occurred in the aforementioned road section earlier today,” read part of the notice.

“The KeNHA team is actively on-site working diligently to clear the road and ensure the safety of all motorists."

Reports have indicated that at least 15 people have died so far in Kenya in floods caused by the torrential rains that have hit East Africa, cutting off roads, washing away dozens of houses and killing livestock.

"As of yesterday (Sunday), 15,264 households have been affected, with 15 reported casualties and at least 1,067 livestock deaths", wrote the Kenyan Red Cross on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.

Among the most affected areas also included the arid north region.

Floods along Isiolo-Moyale road at Logo Logo area towards Marsabit on October 25, 2023. /KENHA