Alternative Routes Advised as Mombasa Road Floods Cause Disruption

As flooding wreaks havoc along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, motorists and passengers bound for Nairobi and Mombasa are urged to seek alternative routes. The Kenya Red Cross issued a statement on Sunday, April 21, highlighting the impassable condition of the highway in the Sultan Hamud area, stranding travelers between Emali and Salama.

With the primary route rendered unusable, drivers are directed to detour through the Machakos route, albeit longer, to reach their destinations safely.

"Heavy rainfall has inundated sections of Mombasa Road, prompting caution among travelers navigating the Sultan Hamud area or opting for the alternative Makindu-Wote-Machakos route," advised authorities.

For those traveling from Nairobi to Mombasa, the new advisory instructs branching off at Kyumbi Junction towards Machakos or taking the Konza route to Katumani for access to Wote.

Similarly, motorists journeying from Mombasa are instructed to divert at Makindu, passing through Wote Town en route to Katumani or Machakos. However, concerns loom over the viability of the Wote route, given the swelling water levels in the Kaiti River, which could potentially sever connections between Wote, Katumani, and Machakos if the river overflows.

The timing of these challenges coincides with the Kenya Meteorological Department's forecast of continued heavy rainfall throughout April, exacerbating the risk of further disruptions along Mombasa Road, particularly in the Athi River stretch.

Amidst these conditions, Kenyans are reminded to exercise utmost caution when traversing flooded roads to ensure their safety and that of fellow travelers.