Concerns about the safety of the Kiwanja Ndege footbridge in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County, are rising after it emerges that a similar structure has sunk in Busiwabo Ward, Busia County.
The Nasewa Footbridge, which was allocated Sh 14 million, was to connect Busiwabo Ward to Matayos South Ward; the same way the Kiwanja Ndege footbridge is to connect Lugari Ward to Chekalini Ward.
The Kiwanja Ndege footbridge, which is across the Kipkaren River, was allocated about Sh 10 million but residents have been complaining about its ability to survive harsh weather conditions and the river that swells during rainy seasons, considering that the amount put on it is unreasonably high.
The metal supporting the structure is already rusting even before the structure becomes useful.
Important to note is that the metals collapsed on workers twice in December 2021 during construction, which led to the bridge stalling for two months.
The Busia incident is a sharp comparison of a similar incident during the electioneering period in 2017 in which the Sigiri bridge which connects Mau-Mau to Port Victoria collapsed.
The Enziu River tragedy that saw a school bus that was ferrying church members to a funeral is also fresh in the minds of Kenyans.
Sam Oduor is the editor-in-chief at the Western Kenya Times who leverages the power of the Internet in telling stories that shape opinions.
