Business and transport has been brought to a standstill in Mbeere North Embu after a bridge connecting Mumenji and Ishiara collapsed last night.
The bridge collapsed under the heavy load of a lorry that was ferrying sand from parts of Kirie to Ishiara. However, the driver did not sustain injuries.
Ndwiga Njeru who is a resident of Kirerema village where the bridge is located said that the bridge was built in the 80s and its collapse has subjected locals to untold suffering.
“We are calling on the government to come to our rescue, this bridge serves more than 5,000 people who now have a problem in their movements, even the distributors of basic commodities here cannot reach the villages,” said Ndwiga.
He also said that the collapse of the bridge has jeopardized the movement of students making it difficult for them to attend schools.
A farmer in the area Peter Ireri said he could not take his produce to the market today due to transport problems saying no vehicle could pass through the bridge.
Ireri noted that there is need for urgent intervention to restore normalcy since the locals are suffering.
He said that a quick response to their cry to reconstruct the bridge would enable them to continue with their businesses and also enable their children to attend schools as it has been their routine.
Another resident Nicholeta Wanyaga urged President Dr. William Ruto to direct immediate reconstruction of the bridge that he used during his campaign in Mbeere North.
Geoffrey Gachucha, a priest in the area, alluded that the bridge had been weak for some time and that it was not constructed using modern technology.
“The bridge had loosened, it had become very weak indeed, many lorries coming to this area use this bridge and due to their heaviness, that’s why it collapsed,” said Gachucha.
Evurori ward Member of County Assembly Duncan Mbui urged the government to put aside emergency funds for the bridge in order to rescue the locals from transport challenges.
He noted that the collapse of the bridge has paralyzed business and transport services in the area adding that many people have incurred huge losses since they could not transport their produce to the market for sale.
He further urged the National Government to ensure frequent maintenance of the bridges and inspection of the bridges in order to avoid any inconveniences that can be brought about by such incidents,” said the MCA.
By Justus Anzaya
