Nyando River Floods Ahero Bridge and Stops Traffic on Kisumu Highway
Heavy rain has caused the Nyando River to flood. The water has covered the Ahero Bridge on the main road between Kericho and Kisumu. Now, cars and buses cannot cross the bridge in either direction. The flood is still rising, and it is making travel very difficult for many people.
The surging waters have turned the once-reliable crossing into a hazardous stretch, with levels still climbing and raising fears of further damage to vehicles and infrastructure. Local commuters and long-distance travelers now face significant delays, as the flooding not only disrupts daily transport but also threatens nearby farmlands and communities that depend on this corridor for goods and services.
In response, authorities have swiftly issued urgent safety advisories urging all road users to avoid the affected zone entirely. Nyanza Region Traffic Commandant Dr. Fredrick Ochieng’ has recommended detours such as routing through Timboroa, Lesos, Kapsabet, and Chavakali for those heading to or from Kisumu, while inbound traffic should stick to the Nairobi-bound alternative paths until the waters recede. These measures aim to prevent accidents, especially as visibility drops with evening darkness, and to give emergency teams space to assess and stabilize the situation amid ongoing rainfall forecasts.
Officials are closely monitoring river levels around the clock, warning that overnight surges could turn the bridge into a deadly trap for anyone attempting to cross. Motorists are being reminded to prioritize caution, check real-time updates from transport authorities, and prepare for extended travel times, while the government pledges to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. This incident underscores the growing need for improved flood resilience measures along Kenya’s key highways to safeguard lives and keep essential routes operational during the rainy season.
