An important bridge that links countries in eastern central Africa with the Kenyan port of Mombassa has been reopened.

The bridge has been severely damaged by flood waters and is only passable with extreme care - half of the carriageway has been washed away.

Some travellers were held up at the bridge by high floodwaters for more than 72 hours.

Police in Kenya reported the deaths of 90 people after 24 hours of heavy rainfall in the Eastern and North Eastern provinces.

Some towns have been inaccessible by road for 2 days

They say one entire village was washed away leaving only four survivors, and hundreds of families have lost homes in the town of Garissa on the river Tana, which can be reached only by helicopter.

Torrential rains have also affected the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland, where the local radio has issued appeals for international emergency aid.

The floods cut the main road, known as the Trans Africa Highway, in three places.

Since the rains started in November, journey times between the capital and East Africa's major port have increased from five hours to nearer 20.

The best way to get there now is by air or train, which takes more than a day.

Some towns have been inaccessible by road for 2 days

The heavy rains devastated Kenya's roads to such an extent that the governor of the National Bank described the situation as "horrifying".

Kenya's infrastructure has suffered years of neglect and a policy of make-do is being exposed as floodwaters crater roads and cause landslips.

While the newly re-elected president, Daniel arap Moi, says the problems must be addressed, it is difficult to see how this can be achieved.

According to the National Bank governor, the money for such major public works is not available. The country is also having to deal with devastated agricultural land, epidemics of diseases such as cholera and a struggling tourist industry.
 

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