This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
Heavy rains have been pounding the North Rift region since July, causing widespread damage to roads and disrupting the transportation of produce to markets.
According to the County Meteorological Department, the rains are expected to continue until October, leaving farmers in a precarious situation.
Joseph Toroitich, a potato farmer from Lelan, is among those who are facing significant losses. He had harvested 200 bags of potatoes a week ago but has been unable to transport them to Kisumu due to the poor state of the roads.
“I harvested 200 bags of potatoes a week ago. It has been impossible to transport the produce to Kisumu," said Toroitich. For More of This and Other Stories, Grab Your Copy of the Standard Newspaper. "The lorries we rely on to transport the potatoes have been struck on muddy roads for days now.”
Another farmer, Mary Rotich, has delayed harvesting her potatoes until the rains subside. She has also been unable to sell her produce due to the lack of traders in the area.
Locals in Lelan have taken matters into their own hands, volunteering to expand the Kamasat-Kaptegaa feeder road, which leads to the main Lelan-Cheptongei road.
