Transportation operations ground to a halt for several hours along Thika Superhighway due to the overwhelming force of runoff water inundating the drainage system and flooding the bustling thoroughfare.
Originating near Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), the sudden deluge cascaded onto the roadway, bringing all movement to a standstill.
Vehicles traversing the route had no choice but to seek alternative pathways, such as utilizing the service lane, in order to break free from the rapidly expanding gridlock.
The traffic congestion extended from the Kimbo area, with frustrated motorists expressing their dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of preparedness in handling the aftermath of the ongoing heavy rains.
Many road users lamented the absence of adequate drainage infrastructure and the failure to clear existing water channels, which could have mitigated the damages and losses incurred by Kenyans due to the relentless downpours.
Among those voicing their concerns were motorists like Eric Kinyanjui and George Mukiri, who highlighted the substantial losses they suffered as they were unable to transport passengers to their destinations.
Juja Sub-County police commander, Michael Mwaura, urged the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to swiftly address the flooded road situation. He also cautioned motorists against risking their lives by venturing into flooded areas.
Mwaura disclosed that his office, in collaboration with other government agencies, was diligently working to safeguard lives during the rainy season, advising Kenyans to exercise caution when navigating potentially hazardous zones.
The situation was particularly dire at the Kiambu County offices in Juja Sub-County, where floodwaters transformed the vicinity into an impassable expanse, leaving workers and visitors stranded along the bustling highway for hours.
Access to the facility was completely cut off, leaving both staff and residents seeking services unable to reach their destination.
