Floods: Kisumu-Nairobi Highway Impassable After River Nyando Burst Its Banks

• Ahero Police Station in Kisumu county was flooded by overflowing waters from River Nyando after heavy rains
• Alphonse Wambua, the Kisumu county police commander, revealed that suspected thieves started robbing stranded motorists
• KeNHA advised the public to exercise caution while approaching the River Nyando Bridge amid heavy rains

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kisumu - Severe rainfall across the country has led to River Nyando overflowing its banks.

On Saturday, May 4, intense downpours caused significant disruptions, particularly for motorists travelling along the Kisumu-Nairobi Highway, who faced lengthy delays.

According to reports from Citizen Digital, Alphonse Wambua, the Kisumu county police commander, stated that there were incidents of robbery as criminals took advantage of the traffic snarl-up that ensued.

The robbers 'thrived' as floodwaters inundated the Ahero Police Station and nearby residences.

In response to the hazardous conditions, drivers have opted to seek alternative routes to avoid the risk of being swept away by the surging floods.

KeNHA calls for caution on Nyando Bridge

KeNHA urged caution from the public when approaching the Nyando Bridge that has been submerged by floodwaters.

"KeNHA wishes to alert the public to exercise caution as they approach the River Nyando along the Ahero-Kisumu (A1) Road which burst its bank. The public is urged to exercise patience and follow directions from the police officers and traffic marshals manning the road," read the statement in part.

How many people have died due to floods?

Meanwhile, on May 5, the government announced that the number of people who had succumbed to floods had reached 228.

This was heightened by the massive deaths at the Mai Mahiu when a dam at Old Kijabe broke its banks.

It caused floods that swept away several families and vehicles along the Nairobi-Naivasha Road.

What else you need to know about floods in Kenya

• Kenya Airways advised Kenyans travelling to arrive four hours earlier before their departure time due to heavy rains
• Senator Allan Chesang showed off a car modified to operate as a boat during flooded areas
• KeNHA announced the closure of the Eldoret-Nakuru Highway after floods destroyed the road

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke