The Masalani bridge that connects the entire Ijara constituency to Garissa, Nairobi, and Hola is on the brink of collapse at the Boji area on the River Tana, connecting Garissa County with Tana River County.
The bridge is said to have been affected after the River Tana burst its banks in the Boji area.
A KNA survey shows that heavy commercial vehicles, especially trucks carrying merchandise from Mombasa and Nairobi, also made the bridge weak.
Ijara residents have asked the government to construct another new bridge instead of renovating the existing one.
Former Ijara County Council Chairman, Mr. Mohamed Gure, and Masalani watchdog group leader, Mr. Abdullahi Abdi, called on Kenha to do a feasibility study on the Masalani-Wenje area for a possible construction of the bridge.
Garissa County Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji asked on the floor of the senate about what the government was doing to alleviate the suffering of Boji and Masalani residents after the bridge was constructed in 2018 with no more maintenance done.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary (CS) promised the bridge will be constructed in June next year to the tune of Sh. 1.6 billion.
By Mohammed Dahir
