Area cut off after river bursts banks

By Peterson Githaiga

Athi River, Kenya: Residents of Kinanie village in Athi River, including school children, were stranded for more than eight hours after flash floods swept away a bridge.

This caused a traffic snarl up on the road after a seasonal river Mto Wa Mawe burst its banks, on Wednesday.

A school bus of Mutungoni Academy was forced to turn back after hours on the road.

Among those affected are Mavoko MP Patrick Makau who was not able to access his Kinanie rural home. Mr Makau promised to ensure a proper bridge is constructed on the road.

“We have been going through this for many years but now this bridge will be my first agenda,” he said.

Residents of Harvest and Kinanie areas were cut off after the bridge was destroyed. The road serves Daystar University, Lukenya and Mutungoni schools.

“We appeal to our newly elected leaders to be accountable since this is a big loss to locals who cannot move to earn a living from their small enterprises. Such calamities are a drawback to many and need to be corrected,” said Mr Daniel Mumo, a resident. 

By around 1am on Wednesday close to 100 people had gathered on either side of the river with hopes the waters would subside.