Residents of Chania in Gatundu North sub-county are living in fear of a bridge many of them use to cross River Kariminu that is on the verge of collapsing.
According to a Chania resident, Teresa Mugure, her children use the bridge to and from school and church. The bridge that is made of tree logs has absorbed a lot of water due to the current heavy rains and has now started rotting.
She said that the rotting logs have started falling off from the sides, a sign that the entire bridge will soon collapse. She further pointed out that before the rains several people could cross the bridge at once but at the moment only one person at time can cross for fear of drowning.
A business lady in the location, Esther Mukami also said that because the bridge has become risky, she is now forced to pay a motorbike to carry her luggage. Mukami revealed that even the daring men who have been wading through the river with heavy luggage, are now not able to because the river is swollen due to the heavy rains.
The business lady suggested that government should construct a permanent bridge.
According to the area Assistant Chief, Mr. Joseph Theuri the area ward administrator had promised that a temporary bridge will be built. He explained that the repair was going to be temporary because constructing a permanent bridge needs planning and budgeting that is only possible in the 2015/16 financial year.
He urged the residents to be calm and put up with what can be managed for the time being as they present the proposal to the relevant authorities to construct a permanent bridge that will enable residents cross the river without the risk of drowning.