Transport between Kiariani-Kangema road which connects Mathoiya and Kangema sub-counties has been paralyzed after a section of the road was affected by a landslide.
One side of the road at Kanjama area sunk following heavy rains pounding parts of Murang’a County leaving motorists to use only one road.
The section of the road was prepared from August last year and was opened for use in January this year but the disaster struck again Monday night.
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Murang’a county commissioner Mr. Mohammed Barre speaking when he visited the site asked motorists to be careful when approaching the affected section of the road.
He said Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) used Sh. 176 million to repair the same section of the road after it was hit by another landslide in May 2018.
“The destruction came barely four months after the road was opened for use after repairs were done,” noted Barre.
He said KeNHA has agreed to open up a diversion to be used for the time being as a permanent solution is found.
“There has been huge earth cracks in this area and even nearby homes, residents are living in fear after the cracks cut across their farms,” added the administrator.
The county commissioner said there is need to engage geologist to give a report concerning the cracks and also to help road engineers in planning to do another repairs.
A local resident, Stephen Njuguna said he was living in fear after the part of the road sunk explaining that after the incident water is oozing in several areas within his farm.
He requested for help from the government as his house may be affected if the area continues receiving heavy downpour.
Since 2018, houses belonging to several families in Mathoiya and Kangema were affected by other cracks which keep on enlarging as rains pounded the areas.
Some houses were rendered inhabitable after the cracks cut across walls forcing the affected families to seek refuge in other areas.
Meanwhile, 25 families in Mathioya Sub County have been affected by landslides occasioned by ongoing rains with the county commissioner requesting people who live in landslide prone areas to move to safe grounds.
The rains have also affected several roads within the county as Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) carry an assessment on the extent of destruction, before embarking on repairs of the destroyed parts.
Mount Kenya KeRRA regional Manager Engineer Joseph Wanjohi speaking to KNA through phone said the worst hit roads are Murang’a- Kangema and Kandara- Githumu- Kangari.
Wanjohi observed that an estimated budget for rehabilitation of the roads has been forwarded to the government.
“We have a total of 10 roads under KeRRA that require urgent attention as some have developed huge cracks which are threat to motorists,” he said.
Majority of the roads in the upper region in the past two weeks have been impassible, following effects of landslides, compelling authorities to mobilize equipment to clear the debris.
