By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced closer of the Mai Mahiu – Narok Road.
KeNHA in a statement on Monday night said the decision follows what it described as sudden siltation in the road.
The agency further said part of the road also has heavy debris at Suswa area.
Closure of the road is meant to allow KeNHA team to clear it overnight.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority would like to notify the public of the closure of Mai Mahiu – Narok Road,” the agency said in part of the statement posted on its official X handle.
“This follows sudden siltation, coupled with heavy debris deposited on a section stretching over a kilometre this evening at Suswa area, about 27 kilometres from Mai Mahiu town towards Narok,” it added.
The contactor is already on the site clearing the siltation.
Works are expected to extend overnight.
“The closure will allow smooth clearance of the siltation and avoid incidents of vehicles getting stuck among other possible dangers,” KeNHA said.
Meanwhile, the authority has advised motorists plying the route to use alternative routes including the main Nairobi – Nakuru Highway.
“The Authority remains committed to seamless connectivity,” it said.
Earlier in the day, there were reports the road has been closed but KeNHA came out to term it fake news.
However, transport was partly paralysed on the road after heavy debris that resulted from the burst of Old Kijabe dam which has led to over 40 deaths.Kenya Red Cross reported that 49 people had been reported missing as of Monday afternoon.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing.