By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
For decades, Northern Kenya has faced recurring transport challenges that resurface with every rainy season. When the rains begin, roads across the North Eastern region become impassable, cutting off communities and halting movement.
During this period, major routes quickly turn into muddy stretches, isolating villages from essential services for days, sometimes even weeks. What should be a seasonal benefit turns into disruption and uncertainty. Across Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, many roads remain unpaved and poorly maintained even during dry periods.
When rains intensify, vehicles struggle to move, often getting stuck or unable to pass entirely. In some cases, residents are left stranded for days or weeks.
A report released last year indicated that each Member of Parliament receives about Sh62 million annually for road maintenance. However, in the northern region, some leaders have dismissed the allocation as insufficient, referring to it as “pesa ya mfuko” or “pocket money.”
Meanwhile, residents face immediate challenges such as access to food and water, limiting their ability to hold leaders accountable.
Heavy rains linked to the March–April–May season have already disrupted key routes. The Habaswein–Modogashe section along the B9 road has been cut off, leaving travellers stranded.
In the past two days, this section of the busy B9 road, which links the northern region to other counties, has become completely impassable. Travellers have been unable to move as floodwaters render the road unusable.
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Ubax Mumiin, a traveller heading to Wajir, says this stretch of road requires urgent attention. “Every rainy season, it’s the same problem. The road becomes impassable,” she says. She adds that they have been stuck between Habaswein and Wajir for three days.
The disruption extends beyond transport. Access to healthcare is affected, with patients unable to reach hospitals. Emergency cases face increased risk due to delays.
The economic impact is also significant. About 90 percent of goods consumed in the region are transported from other counties. When roads are cut off, supply chains are disrupted, leading to shortages and rising prices as residents rely on limited stock.
Abdirizak Osman, a driver operating along northern routes, is calling on the government to fast-track infrastructure development. “The government should speed up the tarmacking of the 700-kilometre Isiolo–Mandera road to ease this problem,” he says.
As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the situation is likely to worsen. For residents, reliable roads are not optional. They are critical to access, services, and livelihoods. Until long-term solutions are implemented, each rainy season will continue to bring the same disruption.