All 51 passengers trapped on the roof of a bus that was swept away by floods on the Garissa-Nairobi highway have been rescued.
Kenya Red Cross Society deployed boats to evacuate the passengers aboard the Umma Express bus.
“All passengers aboard the bus have now been rescued, with priority initially given to women, children, and those who were sick”, said the Society on X.
It further said efforts are ongoing to rescue other stuck commuters after the road was cut off at Arer near Tulla Bridge, Tana River County.
The Wajir bound bus from Nairobi plunged into the flood waters at Arer area after the driver unsuccessfully tried to cross the section.
Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo has advised motorists, boda bodas and pedestrians against crossing any of the affected road sections warning that it could lead to loss of life.
Mwabudzo further called on all residents living along River Tana to move to higher grounds to avoid being caught up by flooding.
“We are working with the chiefs to mobilize and move the people in riskier areas to higher grounds until the waters subside,” Mwabudzo said.
“We urge road users to be cautious and avoid driving in the floodwater for their safety,” he added.
So far, there has been no loss of life and the most affected areas are farms along River Tana, parts of Iftin, Ziwani in Garissa town and other parts of Sankuri.
Already, KeNHA has announced the closure of Nairobi-Garissa road due to flooding at Arer Area, between Bangaley and Madogo.
“The flooding at Arer has compromised the road and the diversion that was previously in use. This poses a high safety risk to road users. This road, therefore, shall remain closed until the flood waters subside and the damaged section is reinstated,” KeNHA said in a statement on social media sites.
Additional information from KNA and Kenya Red Cross
