Residents of Sango and Mawe Tatu sub locations in Likuyani sub county have appealed for quick intervention to help build a new bridge on Kipsangui River to link up the two sub locations after the one they were relying on collapsed following heavy rains witnessed in the area over the weekend.
Led by Mr. Daudi Njiriman and Enoch Mmbasu, the residents regretted how transport activities along the busy Sango – Nasianda road have been completely paralyzed following the collapse of the bridge.
According to those who witnessed, the bridge collapsed few minutes after a lorry transporting goods had crossed over it followed by a saloon car.
The residents said it was unfortunate that the bridge collapsed when their children are sitting for the end term examination arguing that there are hundreds of children who cross the bridge to Mapera primary and secondary schools, Holly cross Sango primary and secondary schools, Nasianda and Kogo secondary schools as well as Bal and Wisdom academies.
They also argued that the collapsed bridge had constituted untold hardship to businesspersons, motorists and residents in the area and appealed to both the national and county governments to move in quickly to save the situation.
The residents blamed poor workmanship for the collapse of the National Youth Service (NYS) constructed bridge saying it was so surprising that no even single metallic rod was used during the construction of the bridge which was built in 1978.
The Mawe Tatu sub location assistant chief Mr. Wycliffe Masinde said no one was injured in the incident.
He said the bridge had shown signs of collapsing following several cracks on it and it collapsed after heavy rains caused the river to overflow.
The local administrator said urgent measures should be taken to find an alternative solution to help school children cross the river as a permanent solution was being worked upon.
Masinde also disclosed that there were several bridges constructed by NYS in the area which had shown similar signs of collapsing citing example of the bridge linking Mawe Tatu sub location in Sango ward and the neighboring Moi’s bridge sub location in Nzoia ward.
Speaking when he visited the scene Sango Member of County assembly Timothy Mulanda Tali assured residents of re-construction of a new bridge.
Mulanda said he had contacted Kakamega county Governor Wycliffe Oparanya informing him over the incident and had agreed to allocate emergency funds for the re-construction of a new bridge, arguing they will build a large and stronger bridge that will last longer than the one that collapsed.
Thanking Oparanya for his positive response, Mulanda said he will do an official communication to him through writing on Monday and that the construction process will begin as soon as possible where engineers from works department are expected to visit the scene in the course the week to inspect and do valuation of constructing a new bridge
However, the MCA said he had planned an emergency meeting with the area residents and other stakeholder to plan on a short-term solution that will enable safely cross of the river by children to schools as they await reconstruction of the bridge.
In meantime he suggested the road remain closed to prevent beckoning disaster as he appealed to parents ensure their children do not play near the collapsed bridge.
At the same time Mulanda has promised to gravel the Sango – Number one as the bridge construction goes on and urged his opponents to stop mixing politics with development.