Landslide disrupts Iten-Kabarnet Road as KeNHA warns motorists

Travelers on the Iten-Kabarnet Road are being directed to find different paths following a landslide caused by excessive rainfall that obstructed a segment of the roadway near Kolol, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area. According to a traffic notice released on May 2, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) attributed the obstruction to persistent heavy rainfall affecting various regions, rendering the impacted portion of the road completely unusable. KeNHA officially communicated that ‘due to continuous heavy rains throughout the nation, a landslide has taken place on the Iten-Kabarnet Road near Kolol, barricading the affected section,’ in their official statement. The highways authority indicated that remediation work has commenced to remove the debris and restore access to vehicles as quickly as feasible. The supplementary statement mentioned, ‘Reconstruction activities are presently in progress, and the organization is striving to reestablish regular traffic movement at the earliest opportunity.’ Drivers intending to utilize this thoroughfare have been recommended to follow the Iten-Eldoret-Eldama Ravine-Kabarnet corridor as a detour until the compromised portion is cleared and verified as safe for passage. Additionally, KeNHA appealed to all road users to maintain alertness and coordinate with traffic officers and personnel deployed at the location to regulate traffic flow and improve safety conditions. The highways agency emphasized, ‘Drivers should exercise prudence and meticulously follow directions provided by law enforcement officers and traffic controllers present to guarantee their personal safety.’ KeNHA affirmed that they are continuously evaluating the circumstances and will disseminate further information as developments warrant, despite the continuing uncertainty of weather patterns in numerous areas because of the persistent downpours. The road closure is likely to cause inconvenience to travelers and freight transport services dependent on the Iten-Kabarnet connection; however, officials maintain that these precautions are essential for protecting human lives while emergency remedial actions proceed on the damaged road segment.