Boat business owners in Garissa and Madogo are making obscene profits ferrying stranded passengers to and from Garissa amidst the flood crisis currently plaguing many parts of the country.
The boats, typically deployed for rescue missions along River Tana, are now charging a minimum of Sh1500 for the four-kilometer road stretch between Madogo and Garissa, rendered impassable by floods.
Passenger vehicles from Nairobi to Garissa and Wajir are now dropping off travellers at Madogo, where passengers are compelled to embark on boat journeys to Garissa.
From there, they catch connecting buses to Wajir on the other side.
Travellers heading to Nairobi from Garissa must now board motorboats to Madogo to catch buses and proceed with their journey.
- 45 dead after Kijabe dam bursts its banks
- Nithi Bridge black spot: 39 years of tragedy and losses
- Compensate village elders to strengthen grassroots governance
Meanwhile, supply lorries to Wajir and Mandera counties have resorted to go back through Embu, using the Meru – Isiolo – Modogashe road as an alternative route to reach Wajir.
Residents who spoke to the media voiced their discontent regarding the prolonged delay in repairing the road section since December last year, urging the government to expedite the repairs.
“We are hustlers and all the people here who work in Garissa town cannot afford to pay Sh1500 to go to work for Sh500 a day. This is not ideal for us, and we want the government to move with speed and repair this road,” said one Madogo resident.
“We only spend Sh30 using matatus and Sh50 on boda bodas on normal days on this road. Today we are being charged Sh1500. This is not right,” said another.
Additional reporting by KNA.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
