Transport services along the Lamu-Garsen road have ground to a halt for the second consecutive day after floodwaters ravaged a section of the road at Gamba area. The destruction has left hundreds of travelers stranded, with many resorting to expensive boat services to navigate the impassable stretch of road.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has criticized the Ministry of Transport for its failure to address the recurring issue, attributing the road’s vulnerability to seasonal flooding from the upstream River Tana. Videos from Sunday morning depict the dire situation at Gamba area, where patients had to be carried into waiting boats as road transport in and out of Lamu remained severed since Friday.
Residents of Lamu expressed frustration and hardship caused by the road closure. John Kimwa lamented the lack of food and the overall difficulty of life in the area. Paul Kimani highlighted the exorbitant costs of boat services, with fares skyrocketing as high as three hundred thousand shillings due to the rising waters.
Governor Timamy’s efforts to address the issue, including writing to the Ministry of Roads, have so far yielded no tangible results. Mohamed Omar emphasized the urgency of the situation, as makeshift paths created initially have become inundated by rising water levels, rendering the road impassable.
Meanwhile, the national assembly transport and infrastructure committee has reassured residents that the government is conducting assessments of all roads affected by floods. Funds are expected to be allocated for the repair of damaged roads and bridges, although no immediate relief has been provided for the Lamu-Garsen road.
