The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has closed a major highway linking Garissa to Wajir after nearly 114 kilometres of the road was swept away by floods.
In an alert released on Saturday morning, KeNHA stated that operations were underway to trace and redirect motorists who were trapped along the Modika – Nuno – Modogashe.
KeNHA also ferried construction equipment to Maalmin to build diversion roads and curb further damage on sections of the road, which were extensively damaged by ongoing heavy rains.
"The road has not been cleared for usage and motorists trapped between Maalmin Road and Jilango are encouraged to return back to Garissa while travellers between Ohio and Jilango are advised to go back to Modogashe," the authority stated.
It further cautioned all road users to deviate from accessing the highway until it is declared usable.
"This is because the area is still experiencing enhanced rainfall that might result in the recurrence of flood waters which will endanger travellers plying the Garissa – Modogashe - Wajir (A13) Road," KeNHA warned.
Among the areas damaged were four kilometres in Ohio where the road was swept away to pave the way for floods. In Jilango, KeNHA, KeNHA recorded 25 kilometres of damage.
"80 meters of the road was swept away to create a river, and water overtopped a further 200 metres extensively damaging the pavement and a shoulder erosion of nearly 100 metres," the authority detailed.
In Tog Dub, 40 kilometres of the highway were extensively damaged, with the surfacing layer and road embankments suffering the most.
KeNHA added that a section of 45 kilometres at Maalmin was overtopped and washed out.
The damage was recorded a few hours after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged Kenyans to brace for El Nino rains, contrary to an earlier directive issued by President William Ruto.
Gachagua launched rain mitigation measures to aid Kenyans including deploying Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) aeroplanes to distribute KCSE exams in impassable areas and unveiling emergency response teams to rescue trapped road users.
