Residents of several neighbouring locations in Tharaka Nithi County have a reason to smile after the Tharaka Nithi county government completed the construction of footbridges that will enable easy access to schools and other social amenities across rivers.
Speaking while commissioning the use of the Kirege footbridge connecting Kirege and Mubukuro locations in Mugwe ward Wednesday, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the connection of the two neighbouring locations will be a major boost to the social-economic activities in the area.
“With the opening of this bridge pupils in day schools from across the river will easily access the schools and daily farmers will easily access the milk processing plant in the neighbouring location even during rainy seasons which was a major challenge before,” said the governor.
Njuki further disclosed that the footbridge and the feeder roads on both sides of the bridge will be expanded for better access to social-economic activities across the river adding that the construction work will benefit local youth in terms of employment.
The governor instructed his County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Roads Engineer Julius Kijiru, who was present, to start renovating the feeder roads that joins the bridge from the two sides for smooth movement of pedestrians and those using motorbikes.
He further called on residents to part with small parcels of their land to facilitate the expansion of the feeder roads promising that they will be compensated for the same while the youth who will be involved in the construction works will earn daily wages.
The foot bridges have linked many social facilities such as churches, schools and health facilities. Farming activities have also been greatly boosted by these footbridges especially the dairy sector. For instance dairy farmers from Kabuboni location used to trek a long route to get to Kiereni Milk Coolant Plant across the river and now use the Nkanyani footbridge.
The third footbridge is Kiamunjoro in Maara Sub-county that has linked Majira and Ginchunku locations across a stream that swells gravely during rainy seasons.
Present during the event was the Mugwe ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Dennis Mutwiri who assured the electorate that all grievances including the installation of electricity in the remaining part of the ward would be addressed.
by Kelvin Mawira/David Mutwiri
