Kirinyaga county has completed construction of three more bridges that will ease residents access to markets, schools and health facilities.
The new bridges in Mukure, Kabare and Tebere wards have brought relief to scores of villagers who had to walk for long distance to get basic services.
The three facilities which are part of Governor Anne Waiguru’s road rehabilitation and transport sector transformation projects are estimated to serve more than 30,000 people.
The bridges will open up most of the areas which had remained cut-off from other parts.
Villagers said they have been using wooden make-shift bridges to cross crocodile-infested rivers as they take farm produce to the market.
The makeshift wooden footbridge is sometimes washed away by water when the river swells.
Karia Bridge in Kabare ward has now connected those living at Kiritini and Mikarara sublocations.
Kabare MCA Chomba Nyaga thanked Waiguru for allocating funds for the completion of the project, adding that residents would walk five kilometres to access hospital, shopping centre, market and Kirima Dairy to deliver milk but now they can get to the facilities easily.
“This bridge has completely changed our lives. It has eased our mobility and even our children will be able to access schools while we will deliver milk, tea and coffee to factories without spending much on transport,” Chomba said.
Ephantus Kagiri, a resident, said in the past, some of the villagers lost their lives while wading through the swollen riven before the bridge was constructed.
Kahuho-ini bridge in Mukure ward is also now complete.
Residents said the bridge has eased access to Kariani coffee factory, nearby schools and Karima-ini dispensary.
Completion of Gacuria Moyo bridge, connecting Murinduko and Tebere wards across the crocodile-infested Nyamindi river, has also come as a relief to farmers, school children and traders.
The bridge will serve more than 5,000 people living in Ndindiruku, Kiumbu, Marurumo, Miatuini and South Ngariama in Mwea constituency.
“Gacuria Moyo” literally means “putting life on the line”.
Residents said for a long time, they had to cross the river using the wooden makeshift footbridge.
John Githaka, a resident of Miatuini village, said the wooden bridge was like a death trap. He said he witnessed an incident where two children were washed away while crossing the river.
Residents had to travel for around 50km to access Wang’uru market.
Governor Waiguru said residents have continued to endure using a makeshift wooden bridge to get access to trading centres risking their lives and making transport of farm produce costly.
The county boss said the bridges are part of the road infrastructure meant to spur economic growth by easing transportation of produce like coffee, tea and milk, among others.
The bridges will also increase employment opportunities in the transport sector, such as boda boda.
"The county has embarked on a massive road improvement programme that will open up the interior parts of the county for sustained social and economic development," she said.
The governor has already commissioned another bridge across river Nyamindi and Mahiga-ini.
The county has also completed construction of Getuya, Mutonga, Karoboti and Kigua Njamba foot bridges to ease movement of people.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
