Kajiado Farmers count losses as produce rots in fields following heavy downpour

Kajiado,

Tuesday November 21,2023

KNA by Rop Janet

Farmers in Rombo, Kajiado South are counting heavy losses following heavy rains that are currently pounding the area.

 The farmers are unable to access their farms to harvest their crops as the main road connecting their farms to the markets has been rendered impassable by the heavy downpour.

 The area produces large quantities of onions, tomatoes, cabbages, maize and water-melons.

Sections of the Ilasit-Njukini-Taveta road has been swept away by the raging waters completely rendering transport by motor vehicles impossible.

Moses Sila, a tomato farmer, lamented that his produce was rotting in the farm as the lorries are unable to access the area to transport them to the markets.

“My tomatoes are rotting in the farm. Since it started raining the road has become impassable and we are unable to transport our produce to the market.” He said.

The farmer revealed that this was not the first time that the area has been cut off by floods adding that they have always incurred losses during the rainy season due to impassable roads.

 Jennifer Sakimba, a resident of Rombo, said they have complained about the poor state of the 68 kilometer road over the years but nothing has been done.

Sakimba revealed that the road has never been repaired since it was constructed 40 years ago.

 “We have been complaining about the poor state of this road for years but nothing has been done. Every time it rains we are cut off and cannot access the market or hospital.” She said.

Sakimba called on the national government to urgently come to their rescue and tarmac the road which connects Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties.

According to Joseph Kamau, a matatu driver, the poor state of the road has greatly affected his business as he is unable to ply the Rombo-Ilasit -Taita route.

Kamau said he is forced to use alternative routes which is time consuming and expensive to the passengers.

He called on the government to tarmac the road immediately to enable easy transportation of goods and passengers.

Courtesy; KNA