Motorists plying along the Narok – Maai Mahiu route have been forced to use alternative routes after the Bridge at Eor Ekule area in Narok East Sub County was cut off by flash floods.
The bridge, located about 17 kilometres from Narok town, was cut on Thursday after heavy down pour was experienced in the area.
Narok leaders led by Governor Samuel Tunai, Senator Ledama Ole Kina and County Commissioner (CC), Samuel Kimiti who inspected the bridge on Friday evening assured the residents that the government was working towards restoring the bridge within three days.
Tunai said the road was very important as it linked the county with other counties as well as connecting to neighbouring country Tanzania.
He asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider expanding the road to be a dual carriage as many vehicles plying to the western and Nyanza parts of the country used the route.
Kimiti thanked Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) officials for their prompt response saying despite the bridge having been cut in the late hours, the authority responded instantly and have been on the ground to reconstruct the bridge.
However, he called on Narok residents to be vigilant and move to safe grounds during this rainy season to avoid floods and mudslides that have already killed two people in the area.
“We want to notify the motorists coming from Maai Mahiu area to Narok side to use the alternative Nakuru route and those in Narok and Bomet intending to move towards the Maai Mahiu area to use the Kericho – Nakuru route,” said Kimiti.
The bridge was constructed back in the year 2011 when the Narok – Maai Mahiu road was tarmacked.
KeNHA through a public and media advisory advised motorists to avoid the route as it posed danger promising to immediately begin the restoration works that would continue for a couple of days.
Following the advice, those transporting goods across the bridge have been forced to wait for vehicles moving in the opposite direction where they exchange their goods.
Three days ago, a man died while another one escaped death narrowly after a mudslide submerged the home they were sleeping in at Narienda area in Narok North Sub County.
Early this week, two bridges were swept by flash floods at Melili ward in Narok North Sub County cutting communication in the ward.
By Ann Salaton
