The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has warned motorists to avoid sections of the Thika–Garissa (A3) highway following heavy rains that made sections of the busy road impassable due to heavy flooding.
In a statement released during the evening of Wednesday, October 29, KeNHA reported that movement of traffic was disrupted between Madogo and Bangali, particularly the 31km to 37km stretch from Bangali Centre where heavy rains have been pouring since Monday.
The submerged parts of the highway may experience further water if the rain continues, the authority warned, urging drivers to exercise patience and wait for the water to recede before continuing with their trips.
The most affected is the Tulam section of the road, where floods have cut off some parts of the road. KeNHA has therefore sent in engineers and emergency response teams to assess the situation and plan for restoration works once it is safe.
Drivers had been warned against the dangers of driving in flooded roads, including loss of control of the vehicle, hidden potholes or sinkholes, and being stranded in case of a sudden increase in water level.
This is not the first instance of the Thika–Garissa Highway being interrupted. The highway was closed for three months in July to allow the Kavenge (Mbabakini) Bridge at Mbakini Centre repair works.
The notice comes as Kenya experienced heavy rains across a series of locations, the beginning of the short rains season that normally runs through October and December.
Kenya Meteorological Department predicts that counties in the Country’s Coast, North Eastern, and North Western counties like Garissa and Turkana will also receive heavy rains and heavy winds within the next week.
Western Kenyan counties and parts of the Rift Valley will also receive prolonged rain with thunderstorms during the day and night.
