Rescue efforts are underway to rescue 49 passengers trapped in floodwaters along the Garissa-Mwingi highway.
Kenya Red Cross has deployed boats to rescue the stranded passengers onboard the Umma Express bus that was swept away by floods after midnight.
The bus registration number KDN 059X was heading to Nairobi from Wajir when the driver attempted to cross a flooded section of the road at 12.30 am. The incident was however reported at 2.40 am.
“A motor vehicle registration number KDN 059X make Mitsubishi bus of Ummah Bus driven by one Hassan Turbo was from Wajir heading towards Nairobi via Garissa with 49 pax on board and upon reaching within Chuma Mrefu area while attempting to cross a flooded section of the road following a heavy downpour, the bus slipped out of the road and got stuck into a ditch” part of a police report read.
As a result, the bus was slowly swept by the water and got stuck around 30 meters off the highway.
Some passengers escaped through the windows while many others were still trapped on the rooftop of the bus.
Many parts of the East African nation have been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall in the past week.
An advisory of rising waters at Tana River bridge has been issued leading to the closure of the Nairobi-Garissa road.
Authorities have warned motorists against driving on flooded roads.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned motorists against driving on flooded roads.
