GARISSA, Kenya — The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has cautioned motorists against using sections of the Thika–Garissa (A3) highway after floods rendered parts of the road impassable on Wednesday, October 29.
In a public notice, the authority said traffic flow between Bangali and Madogo had been severely affected, particularly at Tula, between the 31st and 37th kilometers from Bangali Centre, due to flooding caused by ongoing rains.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority wishes to notify the public that traffic flow along the Thika–Garissa (A3) Road linking Bangali and Madogo has been affected by floods at Tula in various sections between 31Km and 37Km from Bangali Centre,” KeNHA said.
“The road sections which have been flooded may experience increased water levels if the rain continues.”
KeNHA urged motorists to exercise patience and caution, advising them to wait for water levels to subside before proceeding with their journeys.
Engineers and emergency response teams have been deployed to monitor the situation and restore traffic once conditions are deemed safe.
The Thika–Garissa highway has experienced repeated disruptions over the past year due to flooding. In April 2024, the road was temporarily closed after heavy flooding near Arer, while in November 2023, traffic was halted when part of the road was washed away by flash floods.
Road safety experts have repeatedly warned of the dangers of driving through flooded roads. Besides the risk of losing control, motorists face potential road damage such as sinkholes and potholes, as well as the possibility of getting trapped if water levels rise suddenly.
“Driving through floodwaters carries immense danger. It’s safer to wait than to risk your life and property,” said a transport safety officer familiar with KeNHA’s operations.
The warning follows an alert by the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), which forecast above-average rainfall across several regions this week.
In a weather forecast released Monday, October 27, the department said rains would persist in the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, the Lake Victoria Basin, Coastal Region, Southeastern Lowlands, Northwest, and Northeastern Kenya.
The KMD further cautioned that isolated heavy rainfall may occur in some of these areas, with strong southerly to southeasterly winds exceeding 25 knots expected in coastal, northwestern, and northeastern counties.
Counties such as Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Kakamega, Baringo, and West Pokot are expected to experience day-long showers and thunderstorms during the forecast period.
KeNHA’s advisory underscores the continued impact of Kenya’s short rain season, which runs from October to December, often causing flash floods and transport disruptions.
The authority has urged road users to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel along flood-prone routes until the rains subside.
