Garissa faces supplies shortage as floods cut off roads network

Garissa residents are facing imminent supply shortages which is likely to increase prices of basic commodities.

This follows the closure of the Garissa – Madogo highway as a result of flooding caused by the ongoing rains.

The Kenya National Highway Authority through its social media sites has already announced the closure of the road.

KeNHA has further warned the citizens to be cautious and wait for the waters to subside before making crossing attempts.

Since Friday evening, transport along the four-kilometre stretch has been paralysed making it impossible for people and vehicles to enter or exit Garissa town to Nairobi.

Being the gateway to the larger North Eastern region, all travelers to Wajir and Mandera through this route are also stranded at Madogo town.

Speaking to the press, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Chief Executive Officer, Garissa Chapter Abdiwahid Ahmed said the severe shortage is likely to be caused by lack of movement due to damaged roads.

He also said panic buying by customers has also occasioned the severe shortage currently witnessed in the county adding that customers are buying large volumes of goods in fear of running out of stock.

He acknowledged that some businesses could be hoarding goods hurting residents, adding that action will be taken against those found doing so.

"It's un-Islamic, illegal and inhuman to hoard commodities at the time there are crises, businesses should be humane because this will last in few days," Ahmed said.

This is the third time that the road stretch has paralysed movement in the area since the road was destroyed by El Nino rains in December last year.

The affected areas are the Tana river bridge surroundings, Mororo and Kona Punda where temporary diversions had been set awaiting full repairs.

Speaking at a press conference, Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi of Supkem said the rains that resulted in floods and displacement of hundreds have negatively affected people.

These include education, health, food and destruction of infrastructure.

While also calling for more help to flood victims, Sheikh Hassan told business communities that hoarding goods is prohibited in Islam.

He said it was wrong to take advantage of vulnerable people already victims of floods.

“Hiding essential goods for our own selfish interest is against Islamic and laws of Kenya and everywhere else because without food no one can survive. Please, if you are doing this desist from this practice,” he said.

The cleric said flood victims are desperate and spending the night in the cold while they are also rained on.

He has called on both the county and National governments to come forward and help those displaced by the floods.

Garissa county Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo has called on motorists and pedestrians to avoid crossing through flood waters.

Mwabudzo at the same time called on those living along River Tana to move to higher grounds.