Commuters from Nairobi were treated to a harsh Tuesday after heavy rains paralyzed road and rail transport in major parts of the city.
Stranded Kenyans went on twitter to express their fury on what they termed as the government’s inability to ensure good road infrastructure.
Residents of Eastlands, Utawala, Outering Road and those using the Eastern bypass were the most affected, with some opting to spend the night out.
@anwakim posted: “
@Ma3Route my dad has been sitting in traffic at utawala from 7.45pm and now that ruai is flooded he has opted to pay a lodging for the night
— Anne Wakim (@anwakim) June 2, 2015
@Ma3Route Utawala is an ocean. If you think you saw anything in south c, shut up. You know nothing. Let Utawala people tell you — Jamu Njagi (@JamNjiru) June 2, 2015”@JamNjiru added.
He added:
.@FaizMatheen the roads are flooded in Utawala. Motorists have parked on the road waiting for water levels to lower via @JamNjiru
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) June 2, 2015
Others risked their lives just to get home.
“I was in the bus line in town since 7:30pm, immediately after my class. But the first Double M bus appeared some minutes after 11:30pm and it was not even to use the regular route. For the first time I saw passengers standing in the Umoja bound bus,” explains Dorcas Loko, student at St Paul’s University, Nairobi Campus.
She added:
“I arrived home at 1:50am and interestingly, there were still people walking along the road, despite the fact that it was very late.”
Those who opted for the Eastern Bypass were not spared either.
@BLuvanda added:
Pupils from Embakasi Garrison primary stuck in traffic at the Utawala bypass for more than five hours @Ma3Route
— Beth Luvanda (@BLuvanda) June 2, 2015
The traffic nightmare on Tuesday had begun earlier in the morning when commuters were stuck in traffic following the convoy of the various dignitaries who had visited Kenya on Madaraka Day Celebrations.
The evening traffic did not spare the commuter train passengers who had to wait for hours before they could board the train that was reportedly stuck in Embakasi Railway substation due to the heavy downpour.
At 9pm, the stranded commuters were still waiting for the train, with some opting to use the buses instead.
“But there are no buses in town. You would rather wait for the train since you are assured it will come,”
said the officer guarding the railway station entrance.
The duty officer announced:
“Kwa wasafiri wetu wapendwa, wanaosafiri kuelekea upande wa Makadara, Umoja, Githurai, Kahawa, mwisho Ruiru tangazo hili ni kwenu: Tafadhali tungependa kuwajulisha ya kwamba gari letu ambalo ni Ruiru Eagle limekwama kwenye stesheni ya Embakasi ambapo limezuiliwa na mvua. Tunaomba radhi na msubiri tu. Pindi tu gari litakapowasili, tutawajulisha” (To our commuters travelling to Makadara, Umoja, Githurai, Kahawa and Ruiru we regret to inform you that the train you are to travel in is stranded in Embakasi railway substation due to heavy rains. We urge you to bear with us.”
Commuters using the Syokimau train also got stranded and left the station minutes after 9pm.
