Garissa Governor Warns Traders Against Hoarding During Flood Crisis
GARISSA, Kenya – Garissa Governor Nathif Jamah has issued a warning to traders engaged in hoarding essential commodities amid the ongoing flood crisis, threatening to revoke their licenses. The action comes in response to reports of traders exploiting the situation caused by the closure of major supply routes to the region due to flooding.
According to Kenya News Agency, numerous complaints have been received from residents about traders withholding essential items like sugar, maize flour, milk, and cooking oil. This hoarding creates artificial shortages and leads to inflated prices, taking advantage of the disruptions caused by the current floods. In the last three days, the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has closed the Garissa-Nairobi highway and the Garissa-Mombasa road, as sections of these crucial supply routes were swept away by floods resulting from El Nino rains.
These two major roads are vital for supplying commodities from Nairobi, Mombasa, and central Kenya to Garissa town and the broader North Eastern region. The governor emphasized that hoarding essential commodities is not only criminal but also immoral, urging religious leaders in Garissa to condemn this practice which contradicts Islamic and other religious teachings.
Acting County Commissioner Solomon Chesut supported Nathif’s sentiments and directed DCI detectives to investigate and prosecute those involved in these unethical practices.
The impact of the road closures and hoarding practices is evident in the rising prices of commodities. A recent spot check by the Kenya News Agency (KNA) showed significant price increases, with the cost of basic items like sugar, maize flour, and milk more than doubling or even tripling.
The situation may worsen if the Garissa-Nairobi highway remains closed, further limiting the influx of essential commodities. Meanwhile, the closure of the Madogo-Garissa road has also affected the daily routines of public servants residing in Madogo, Tana River County, who were unable to report to work in Garissa town due to the flash floods.