Residents of Mugutha and Biashara wards in Juja and Ruiru sub counties have a reason to smile after the opening of a bridge that connects the two wards.
The Sh12million Bridge constructed by the Kiambu County Government across the Mukuyu River will serve over 100,000 residents.
It has the capacity to handle over 4 tons of weight, compared to the temporary wooden one that could hardly pass several motorcycles at once.
Its opening is a huge relief to residents who had to face the agony of crossing a timber bridge that occasionally could be swept away by flash floods when the river is swollen during the rainy season.
Several people among them bodaboda riders, drunkards, children and the elderly have died after drowning while attempting to cross the river during the rainy seasons.
Speaking while opening the bridge, Kiambu Governor, Dr James Nyoro, said the bridge will not only ease accessibility but also open the two sub counties to business.
He said the contractor will be expected to grade the roads leading to the bridge for ease of connectivity by vehicles.
He added that learners will no longer be required to walk for kilometers to access good link roads to school and will be assured of their safety while crossing the area.
“The bridge will stop the many deaths that have been reported in this area due to drowning. Vehicles up to 4 tons capacity will be able to use the bridge which connects the Ruiru-Githunguri road as well as the Murera ward in Juja,” he said.
The bridge is among the many infrastructural development projects that the County Government has undertaken in Ruiru Sub County including the construction of an over 150 bed capacity Level 4 hospital that is operational.
Other projects include the tarmacking of roads, the fast-tracking of the Ruiru and Githurai markets that have been undertaken by the national government and the erection of street lights among others.
By Muoki Charles
