By: Yusuff Baishe
Rain is always a blessing. However, for the residents of Amu, especially in areas where cabro paving has been installed, the rain has turned into a source of disease, frustration, and blocked movement.
Cabro paving is currently a massive project across Lamu. You can see it being installed everywhere, as if it were the top priority for residents. But the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The “Indian Ocean” at Lamu Polytechnic
On June 16th, the area around the Lamu Polytechnic turned into a literal “Indian Ocean.” After a heavy downpour, the road was completely submerged. It is clear that the new cabro paving has actually made the situation worse by trapping water instead of allowing it to flow away.
Voices of the Affected
The frustration is deep among those who use these roads daily. Fatma Shee, a resident of Bombei, shared her experience: “I have been using this road for over fifteen years. It never used to flood like this; it was just a small puddle that would dry up once the sun came out. But ever since the Municipality installed the cabro, the road becomes impassable whenever it rains.”
The impact goes beyond just inconvenience. Robert Karisa, a parent, expressed his deep concern: “If you have seen the video of that road, as a parent, you feel terrible. It wasn’t a sea, but students were swimming in that water without a care for their health and that is exactly where disease outbreaks start.”
The chaos affected everyone: students, pedestrians, boda-boda riders, and even donkey carts. A local boda-boda rider explained the struggle: “It was a nightmare. You couldn’t drive fast because the water was too deep. Students were swimming, and we have damaged our motorcycles because of the water level.”
Another resident noted: “We are not against the cabro paving because we want development. The problem is simply the drainage system, which is very poorly designed. It is heartbreaking to see millions of shillings spent, yet the work done is useless.”
Community Advocacy: Holding Authorities Accountable
The community has not been silent regarding infrastructure challenges. Sumeya Hassan, a community champion from MWARP (Muslim Women Advancement Rights and Protection), and her committee took proactive steps to address local concerns. They wrote a formal letter to the Lamu Municipality, highlighting the poor condition of the drainage system and public complaints regarding the cabro paving works.
Upon delivering the letter to the municipal offices, they met with the manager, who acknowledged the issues. The manager admitted, “It is true; we have received many complaints. A donkey even got injured after stepping into one of the holes there.” He promised that the necessary repairs would be carried out soon.
However, Sumeya Hassan remains cautious. “Some repairs were attempted, and they actually broke up the ground to fix it, but unfortunately, the problem remains exactly the same,” she noted, emphasizing that the community is still waiting for a lasting solution.
On social media, citizens of Lamu and various online users have heavily criticized the Lamu County Government for their negligence regarding this road. Many are deeply saddened and frustrated to see the water flooding and children left to swim in the contaminated pools.
TIKTOK
