- The agency said it will issue traffic advisory to the public on the current status of the road and possible alternative routes to use.
- The agency has named several roads which are likely to be affected the by rains.
Image: KeNHA/X
Kenya National Highways Authority has announced measures to mitigate the loss of lives, businesses and properties during the ongoing heavy rains.
The authority has accessed and mapped the flood-prone road sections and drainage structures from the Geographic Information System that are likely to be affected by the El Nino rains and submitted the cost estimates for reinstatement works to the Ministry of Roads.
In response to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure of the National Assembly, KeNHA said it has developed a monitoring register that is giving live updates on the situation countrywide.
“KeNHA has put its regional team and contractors on high alert to monitor and deal with incidents of washouts,” the roads agency said.
The agency said it will issue traffic advisory to the public on the current status of the road and possible alternative routes to use.
KeNHA added that it has mobilised Emergency Frame Work Contractors in every region to start the process of addressing the washout sections.
“In the meantime, the contractors are helping stranded motorists navigate some of the passable sections of the roads,” it said.
The agency has named several roads which are likely to be affected by the rains.
They include Isiolo – Marsabit Road; Wamba – Lareta Road; Marsabit – North Horr Road, Nuno – Modogashe Road, Modogashe – Wajir Road, Garisa – Sareto – Dadaab Road, Isiolo – Kulamawe – Modogashe Road and Elwak – Lafey – Mandera Road.
“The Authority has constituted a team of Engineers, who are assessing the effects of the floods to come up with measures of ensuring the accessibility for all our road users,” the agency said.
“Once the rains subside, the Authority will ensure that all our affected network shall be reinstated to their original condition.”
The third and fourth weeks of October marked the beginning of the rainy season (October – December).
The rains are characterised by heavy storms that have caused flooding, particularly along the Coastal strip, in some areas of the Central Highlands, Southeast lowlands and several areas of Northwest and Northeastern Kenya.
Flash floods and increasing river levels have caused fatalities, displacement of people as well as infrastructure damage, livestock and property losses, and restricted access to roads in various regions.