ROMBO, Kenya – Farmers in Rombo, located in Kajiado South, are facing significant losses as continuous heavy rains have made roads impassable, hindering the transportation of their produce to the market. The region, known for its production of onions, tomatoes, cabbages, maize, and watermelons, is now grappling with the challenge of rotting crops in the fields.
According to Kenya News Agency, a local tomato farmer, the heavy downpour has rendered the main road connecting their farms to the market unusable, preventing lorries from accessing the area for crop transportation. “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,” Sila expressed his concerns.
This problem is not new to the farmers in Rombo, who have historically faced similar issues during rainy seasons due to the poor condition of local roads. Sections of the Ilasit-Njukini-Taveta road, which plays a crucial role in connecting the farms to markets, have been severely damaged by the rains, halting motor vehicle transportation.
Jennifer Sakimba, another resident of Rombo, pointed out that the 68-kilometer road connecting Kajiado and Taita Taveta counties has been in a state of disrepair for many years. Despite repeated complaints about its condition, the road has not been repaired since its construction 40 years ago. “Every time it rains, we are cut off and cannot access the market or hospital,” Sakimba said, highlighting the broader impact on the community.
Sakimba urged the national government to intervene and tarmac the road to alleviate the community’s transportation challenges. Joseph Kamau, a matatu driver operating in the area, echoed this sentiment, noting the detrimental effect of the road’s condition on his business. The poor state of the road forces him to use longer and more expensive alternative routes, which adversely affects passengers as well.
Kamau, along with other affected locals, called on the government for immediate action to tarmac the road, emphasizing the necessity for reliable transportation for both goods and passengers in the region.