This morning, chaos ensued as the Athi River burst its banks, unleashing widespread flooding that rendered Namanga road impassable. The torrential waters, originating from the upstream Ngong area, surged into the Athi River township, wreaking havoc and bringing traffic to a standstill.
The sole bridge connecting Namanga road to Mombasa road was completely submerged, transforming the river into an expansive sea. Motorists found themselves stranded on both sides of the bridge, trapped in heavy traffic queues stretching over five kilometers. Thousands of onlookers gathered to witness the unprecedented event, reminiscent of a similar occurrence a decade ago.
John Mutua, a local resident, expressed his dismay, describing the flooding as one of the most perilous natural disasters in recent memory. Panic gripped Athi River Township as the floods left much of the area inaccessible. Kasoito slum residents were among the worst affected, with dozens of families trapped in their homes.
At 9:30 am, distress calls echoed from the slum, signaling the urgent need for assistance. Meanwhile, businesses, including a petrol station, were submerged, leaving owners counting their losses. Mary Mutuku, an eyewitness, recounted the devastation, lamenting the submersion of the entire filling station.
With no immediate response from authorities, by 9:35 am, daring onlookers began to traverse the bridge on foot, risking their lives amidst the raging floodwaters. Despite the escalating crisis, there was a notable absence of official intervention by mid-morning, leaving residents and motorists grappling with the aftermath of nature’s fury.
