KeNHA Closes Iten-Kabarnet Road After Landslide as Floods Wreak Havoc Nationwide

KeNHA Closes Iten-Kabarnet Road After Landslide as Floods Wreak Havoc Nationwide

A section of the Iten–Kabarnet Road has been closed following a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall, as widespread flooding continues to disrupt transport and daily life across multiple parts of Kenya.

In a traffic advisory issued on Tuesday evening, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed that the affected stretch near Kolol had been rendered impassable after the ground gave way under persistent downpours. The closure comes amid intensifying rains that have placed mounting pressure on infrastructure nationwide.

“The ongoing rains have caused a landslide along the Iten-Kabarnet Road near Kolol, leading to the temporary closure of the affected section,” KeNHA announced, adding that emergency response teams had already been deployed to the site.

According to the authority, engineers are currently working to clear debris and restore the road, although no definitive timeline has been provided for reopening. Motorists yet to begin their journeys have been urged to use the alternative Iten–Eldoret–Eldama Ravine–Kabarnet route to avoid delays and ensure safety.

For those already on the road, KeNHA issued a cautionary message, urging strict adherence to traffic directives. “Motorists are advised to exercise caution and follow instructions from traffic marshals and police officers stationed at the scene,” the agency said.

The landslide incident is part of a broader pattern of weather-related disruptions being experienced across the country, with heavy rains continuing to pound several regions. Infrastructure systems, particularly roads and drainage networks, are increasingly under strain as water levels rise.

In Nairobi, commuters faced significant challenges on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning after major roads were flooded, causing widespread traffic snarl-ups. Key transport corridors, including the Ruai Bypass, were submerged, leaving motorists stranded and, in some cases, forcing them to abandon vehicles.

Eyewitness footage circulating online showed vehicles partially submerged in floodwaters, while pedestrians were seen wading through waterlogged streets. In some areas, the situation was worsened by drainage systems that were unable to cope with the volume of rainfall, leading to overflow.

At the Kariokor roundabout and parts of Utawala, floodwaters mixed with raw sewage, raising public health concerns and highlighting ongoing challenges in urban planning and drainage infrastructure. Residents reported that access roads had been cut off, with some homes affected by water intrusion.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has maintained that the current weather pattern is likely to persist, warning of continued rainfall across several regions, including Nairobi, the Highlands East and West of the Rift Valley, and parts of northern Kenya.

“Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of the country, with the possibility of flooding in low-lying areas and poor drainage zones,” the weatherman cautioned in its latest advisory.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid flooded areas, and take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of accidents and property damage. Emergency response teams remain on standby in various counties as the government monitors the evolving situation.

The ongoing rains come just weeks after previous flooding incidents caused significant damage to property and infrastructure, raising renewed concerns about the country’s preparedness for extreme weather events.

As restoration efforts continue on the Iten–Kabarnet Road and other affected areas, the situation underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions to address the impact of climate variability on Kenya’s transport and urban systems.

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KeNHA Closes Iten-Kabarnet Road After Landslide as Floods Wreak Havoc Nationwide