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All 51 passengers who were stranded atop a bus swept away by floodwaters along the Garissa-Nairobi highway have been successfully rescued.
The Kenya Red Cross Society promptly mobilized rescue efforts, deploying boats to evacuate passengers stranded on the Umma Express bus.
“Priority was given to women, children, and individuals with medical conditions during the rescue operation,” stated the Society.
Rescue operations are ongoing to assist other commuters stranded due to the road being severed at Arer near Tulla Bridge in Tana River County.
The bus, en route to Wajir from Nairobi, encountered the floodwaters at Arer, where it was overwhelmed by the swift currents after attempts to navigate through the submerged section proved futile.
Garissa County Commissioner, Mohamed Mwabudzo, has issued a stern warning to motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians against attempting to cross flooded areas, emphasizing the potential peril to life.
Mwabudzo urged residents residing along the River Tana to relocate to higher ground as a precautionary measure against the rising floodwaters.
“We are collaborating with local administrators to facilitate the relocation of individuals residing in high-risk zones to safer areas until the floodwaters recede,” Mwabudzo affirmed.
He underscored the importance of exercising caution while navigating flooded roads for the safety of all road users.
Thus far, there have been no reported fatalities, although the impact has been felt significantly in areas neighboring the River Tana, including Iftin, Ziwani in Garissa town, and Sankuri.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has taken precautionary measures by closing the Nairobi-Garissa road due to flooding at the Arer Area, between Bangaley and Madogo.
“The flooding at Arer has compromised road safety, necessitating the closure of the affected section until floodwaters recede, and repairs are undertaken,” KeNHA announced via social media.
