Boda boda riders in Litein town, Kericho County, have taken matters into their own hands by repairing and filling potholes on sections of the town’s roads as concerns grow over the possible effects of heavy rains expected during the October–December 2026 rainfall season.

The riders say they decided to intervene because deteriorating roads, poor drainage and unmanaged waste could make movement around Litein increasingly difficult once heavy rainfall intensifies. Their initiative has attracted attention because boda boda operators are among the people who use the roads most frequently and are often directly affected when potholes, mud, flooding and damaged drainage systems disrupt transport.

According to a report published on September 26, 2026, the riders were particularly concerned about the road leading to Litein Mission Hospital, which they said has numerous potholes. They fear that heavy rainfall could wash away the material recently placed on some damaged sections, leaving the road in an even worse condition. 

Why the riders decided to repair the roads

Litein is an important commercial and transport centre in Kericho County. Boda boda operators provide an essential link between the town centre, residential areas, markets, businesses and surrounding villages.

For riders, road conditions are not simply an infrastructure issue. Poor roads directly affect their daily work, motorcycles and passengers.

Potholes can force riders to slow down, make sudden turns or move onto the wrong side of the road to avoid damaged sections. During rainfall, potholes can also become difficult to see because they fill with water.

The Litein riders therefore decided to undertake temporary repairs using available road materials to make some of the affected sections more passable.

The move demonstrates the role boda boda operators play beyond transporting passengers. In many Kenyan communities, riders are among the first people to notice deteriorating infrastructure because they spend much of their working day travelling through different parts of towns and rural areas.

Their action also reflects growing concern about what could happen if damaged roads meet intense rainfall.

Concern over the road to Litein Mission Hospital

One of the major concerns raised by the riders is the road leading to Litein Mission Hospital.

The road is important because it provides access to a health facility used by residents from Litein and surrounding areas. If sections of the road become severely damaged or flooded, patients, healthcare workers, visitors and motorcycle operators could experience difficulties accessing the facility.

The riders specifically pointed to potholes along the route and warned that temporary repairs could be undermined by heavy rainfall.

One rider told a local station that there were many potholes, particularly along the road towards Litein Mission Hospital. He also expressed concern that marram placed on the road could be washed away once heavy rains begin. 

This concern highlights why road maintenance before the rainy season is important. Filling a pothole can provide temporary relief, but if water continues to enter the road surface because drainage is inadequate, the repair may not last.

Drainage is another major concern

Apart from potholes, the riders have raised concerns about the drainage network in Litein.

Drainage plays a crucial role in protecting roads during periods of heavy rainfall. When rainwater has nowhere to flow, it can accumulate on roads and surrounding areas. Continuous exposure to water can weaken road surfaces, wash away loose materials and enlarge existing potholes.

The riders said some drainage systems in Litein are in poor condition and need attention before the heavier rains arrive.

They also highlighted waste management as another challenge. Poorly managed waste can block drainage channels, preventing water from flowing away efficiently.

The combination of damaged roads, inadequate drainage and blocked water channels could create additional difficulties for residents if rainfall becomes intense.

El Niño and Kenya's weather outlook

The concerns in Litein come as Kenya prepares for potentially wetter conditions during the October–December 2026 rainfall season.

The World Meteorological Organization said in September 2026 that El Niño had become established and was expected to strengthen, with the phenomenon potentially influencing rainfall and temperature patterns and increasing risks associated with extreme weather. 

Kenya's meteorological authorities have also warned that the country should prepare for wetter conditions later in the year. Reports on the Kenya Meteorological Service's outlook have indicated above-average rainfall during parts of the October–December period, although the effects of El Niño are not uniform across the country. 

It is important to understand that El Niño itself is not synonymous with rainfall. It is a climate phenomenon that alters weather patterns. Its effects can vary from one region to another and can include heavy rainfall, flooding, unusual temperatures and, in some places, dry conditions.

This is why communities such as Litein are being encouraged to prepare for different weather-related risks rather than waiting until extreme weather occurs.

Government preparedness

The national government has also stepped up preparedness for the 2026 October–December rainfall season.

A government warning issued in September highlighted possible risks including floods, landslides, disruption of transport and essential services, damage to infrastructure and displacement of vulnerable households. 

Roads are particularly vulnerable during heavy rainfall. Poorly maintained roads can deteriorate rapidly when large volumes of water move across or beneath them.

The Litein situation therefore illustrates the importance of local preparedness alongside national and county-level measures.

Kericho County already has road maintenance programmes

The intervention by the boda boda riders comes against a background of road maintenance programmes undertaken by the Kericho County Government.

The county's project management system lists several road maintenance projects involving pothole patching and surface grading. Among the listed projects are road maintenance works in the Litein area, including the Kapkarin-Chesoen TBC road and the Ainapset A.I.C–Kap Bomwo–Rungut Primary–Chemsembe–Tenwet T.B.C road. 

The county's planning documents also identify transport infrastructure as an area of development within Litein Municipality. Planned activities include grading and gravelling earth roads, construction of non-motorised transport facilities and boda boda shades. 

The 2025/26 Kericho County budget documents further list several Litein infrastructure activities, including grading and gravelling of earth roads, construction of new storm-water drainage, unblocking and repairs of drainage systems, routine maintenance of municipal roads and construction of boda boda shades. 

These programmes show that road and drainage infrastructure is already recognised as an important issue in the town. The current concerns from riders, however, point to the need for attention to particularly vulnerable sections before heavy rainfall causes further deterioration.

Safety concerns for boda boda riders

Boda boda riders face considerable risks when travelling on roads with potholes.

A pothole can cause a motorcycle to lose balance, particularly when approached at speed or when it is hidden beneath rainwater.

The problem can become more serious when riders are carrying passengers. A sudden manoeuvre to avoid a pothole can expose both the rider and passenger to danger.

Wet roads can also reduce tyre grip. When combined with potholes, mud, standing water and poor visibility, the risk of accidents can increase.

The Litein riders therefore used their initiative not only to repair roads but also to sensitise motorists and fellow boda boda operators about road safety.

The report on their intervention indicates that the riders encouraged road users to observe safety rules as part of their activities. 

Impact on businesses and the local economy

Good roads are important for Litein's economy.

The town serves residents, traders, farmers, transport operators and businesses from surrounding areas. People need reliable roads to move agricultural produce, access markets, visit health facilities, attend schools and conduct business.

When roads become difficult to use, transport costs can increase.

Boda boda riders may also be forced to spend more time travelling between destinations, while motorcycles can suffer increased wear and tear.

For passengers, poor roads can make journeys uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.

During heavy rains, the situation can become more difficult if potholes expand or sections of roads become muddy and flooded.

The riders' initiative is a temporary solution

Although the riders' decision to fill potholes is significant, it should not be viewed as a substitute for professional road maintenance.

Pothole filling can provide immediate relief, but durable road repairs require proper assessment, appropriate materials, drainage work and, where necessary, reconstruction of damaged sections.

If the underlying drainage problem is not addressed, water may continue to weaken the road and destroy repaired sections.

The riders themselves are calling for authorities to provide longer-lasting solutions rather than relying on temporary repairs carried out by residents.

Their action can therefore be understood as both a practical intervention and a call for greater attention to Litein's infrastructure.

Community participation in disaster preparedness

The Litein development also demonstrates the importance of community participation in disaster preparedness.

Residents often have detailed knowledge of areas that flood, roads that become impassable and drainage channels that overflow.

Boda boda riders are particularly well positioned to identify these problems because they travel extensively throughout towns and neighbouring areas.

Their involvement could complement efforts by county authorities, disaster management teams and other government agencies.

Community members can report blocked drainage channels, dangerous potholes, fallen trees and other hazards before they become emergencies.

Calls for lasting solutions

The Litein riders are now calling for more comprehensive intervention.

Their concerns include repairing damaged roads, improving drainage and addressing waste management.

These measures are interconnected.

A road may be repaired, but if drainage remains poor, rainwater can quickly damage the surface again. Similarly, properly constructed drainage can become ineffective if it is blocked by waste.

A comprehensive approach would therefore involve identifying the most vulnerable roads, clearing drainage channels, repairing potholes and strengthening sections likely to experience water damage.

Residents also need timely information about weather conditions so that they can adjust their activities when heavy rainfall is forecast.

The Kenya Meteorological Department provides county-level forecasts and other weather products designed to support preparedness and decision-making. 

Litein waits for stronger intervention

The actions of boda boda riders in Litein have brought renewed attention to the condition of roads and drainage systems in the town.

Their decision to fill potholes ahead of expected heavy rains shows the immediate concerns facing road users. At the same time, it highlights the limitations of temporary community-led interventions.

The road towards Litein Mission Hospital is among the areas the riders have identified as needing attention, while drainage and waste management remain wider concerns. 

As Kenya approaches the October–December rainfall period, the condition of local infrastructure will remain an important part of preparedness.

For Litein residents, the hope is that the temporary work undertaken by boda boda operators will encourage more comprehensive intervention before heavy rains arrive.

The riders have demonstrated willingness to participate in protecting their community, but long-term responsibility for public infrastructure remains with the relevant authorities.