Saturday, 3rd December 2011

By Titus Too
Transport along the busy Eldoret/Iten road has been paralyzed after heavy rains swept away section of a main bridge.
Raging floods have damaged part of Marura bridge making it difficult for motorists to cross the section.
Eastern Rift Valley deputy Provincial Commissioner (PC) Wanyama Musiambo on Saturday advised motorists to use an alternative route to avoid risks of accidents.
"We don’t encourage motorists to wade through the flooded section of the road because it exposes them to accident risks," said Musiambo.
The deputy PC who visited Marura bridge on Friday evening advised users to take an alternative Moiben/Ziwa/Iten road, which is a seasonal road.
Hundreds of residents have been stranded with some them being forced to cut short their travel through the flooded road.
Musiambo said Kenya Highways Authority (KenHA) would intervene to clear drainage in the blocked culverts of the bridge.
Speaking to The Standard, Musiambo said rivers in the region are swollen due to the ongoing rains and said there is a risk of tragedy and advised drivers to use the alternative route.
Eldoret/Iten is the only all weather road that connects Eldoret town to Baringo, Keiyo Marakwet counties and other adjacent areas.
There was a hive of activity in the area on Saturday as youths took advantage to cash in from the situation.
They levied fees to carry some pedestrians on their backs while others made earnings by pushing vehicles that got stuck midstream.
The administrator also appealed to residents to move to higher grounds to avoid floods and landslide incidences in prone areas.
"We lost three children from one family at Kibigor village in Keiyo South district due to a mudslide. We appeal to residents living in danger zones to move to safer areas," he said.
The ongoing rains have also damaged murram roads in rural areas and farmers are counting on losses since their products cannot access the market.