- Disaster Management Chief Officer Bwamwel Simiyu said the work is being undertaken by the multi-sectoral County Emergency Response Committee.
- He said the bridge construction and repair works is being conducted on 17 different locations across the city.
Image: FILE
Nairobi County Government says it has started construction and fixing of several bridges in the city.
The move is to enhance safety, connectivity and mobility of Nairobians as floods occasioned by heavy rains continue wreaking havoc.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Disaster Management Chief Officer Bwamwel Simiyu said the work is being conducted by the multi-sectoral County Emergency Response Committee.
“We are keen to ensure minimal disruption for Nairobians during this trying time," Simiyu said.
"We are cognizant of the heavy flooding within the county, and we will continue finding ways to mitigate the situation by fixing the damage done and reinforcing our bridges to ensure the mobility of Nairobians as they attend to their various responsibilities,” he noted.
Simiyu said the Nairobi City Council fire department, Red Cross and St John’s Ambulance continue efforts to curtail further loss of life.
"The Subcounty Health Department is monitoring the situation in order to protect all Nairobians accordingly,” he said.
Simiyu noted the bridge construction and repair works is being conducted in 17 different locations across the city.
They include Thiga footbridge where the steel chequered plate deck is being replaced alongside the retrofitting of columns, girder and handrail and strengthening road furniture.
On the Kiambiu-Jerusalem Bridge, Simiyu said damaged mid-support, girders and deck are being repaired.
Similarly, a temporary footbridge is being constructed to facilitate passage at the Mathare North John Saga Bridge.
Simiyu said additional span and strengthening of girders is ongoing on the Gitathuru Wanjiru Footbridge while a new footbridge is under construction at Mandera Koria Bridge.
He said the Lungalunga Viwandani footbridge is also being redone where the bridge deck clearance is being refurbished in line with marked Red Cross redline.
Other areas where repair works and new footbridge construction is ongoing are as follows:
Mosque Road Footbridge - A new footbridge under construction.
Ngumba Bridge - An extension of the current bridge (by approx 20m) proposed to cover the extended flood plain.
Huruma (Ghetto Area) Madoya Bridge - A new footbridge approx 25m under construction to aid with passage.
Gitathuru Utalii Hotel - A new footbridge approx 25m under construction to aid with passage.
Kisii Footbridge - Repair of the damaged deck span and support. Strengthen the girders and handrails.
Kiambiu Uhuru Bridge in Eastleigh South Ward - Construction of a new footbridge approx. 30m to aid with passage.
Ruthimitu Uthiru Bridge - Connects Ruthimitu and Mutuini Ward. Raise the approaches to provide smooth access. Raise the stab columns, provide guardrails, and strengthen the deck.
Nyando Bridge in Nyayo Highrise - Replace the bridge deck, strengthen or replace the bridge columns where need be, replace the broken guardrails.
Sarang’ombe Footbridge in Sarang’ombe Ward - Replace with new footbridge.
Sarang’ombe Motorable in Sarang’ombe Ward - Fill the cutoff sections of the river bank and repair deteriorated sections.
Mumwe Road Box Culvert - Construction of covered drain along the affected section and box culvert.
Simiyu, who chairs the multi-sectoral County Emergency Response Committee said they will provide constant updates on the situation and the ongoing mitigation measures.
He said these include humanitarian relief supplies distribution, public health and displaced persons camps’ management.