A heavy downpour that began at around 4 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, paralyzed normal activities in Garissa town as floodwaters swept through homes, roads, and businesses. The torrent left most parts of the town impassable, exposing the county’s poor drainage system.
A spot check revealed several residential areas, especially in the outskirts and the Garissa market, submerged in water. Residents were seen wading through floodwaters, attempting to salvage whatever property they could.
Diana Achieng, a resident of Iftin, said she was woken up by water flowing into her house. “As you can see, my house is completely submerged. I’m standing here with my three children not knowing what to do. This is the result of incompetence from those responsible for drainage,” she lamented.
Another resident, Josephine Mbandi, whose household items were destroyed, urged both county and national governments to act swiftly. “We suffer every time it rains because contractors failed to include proper drainage channels. The question is, will the authorities fix this or leave us to suffer again?” she asked.
Rashid Ade, a resident, blamed the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for failing to enforce construction standards and supervise contractors. “They award contracts but never ensure quality work. If they were serious, this wouldn’t happen every rainy season,” he said.
Businessman Ali Ismail also decried the recurring floods, saying, “This downpour once again exposes our town’s vulnerability. Every rainy season we go through the same suffering while officials remain silent.”
Last week, Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo urged residents living along the Tana River to move to higher grounds and remain alert. Past floods in the county have led to loss of lives, livestock, and property particularly in Windsor, Bulla Sheikh, Bulla Punda, and Bulla Iftin.
