In the past year, the government has spent a lot of money on development and infrastructural projects.
However, despite this, we still have roads with potholes and bridges that have collapsed killing people.
This year, most bridges have been swept away by water. We have cases that have been reported while others have not.
A recent case is the Enziu River tragedy that has left families in pain after losing their loved ones.
This latest tragedy comes after the iconic bridge at Kangemi collapsed injuring several people.
In May, a truck ferrying sugar cane in Homa Bay plunged into River Kuja after the collapse of Oria-Riat bridge.
The major reason behind the collapse of these bridges is poor construction and corruption.
The government gives tenders to unqualified personnel who do shoddy works that do not last.
The engineers use cheap materials that are easily swept away by waters, to complete the work and even save some cash to start another project.
The number of deaths due to collapsed bridges is wanting and the government must now give tenders to serious people to avoid future tragedies.
Qualified engineers should be given these tenders. Government should spend enough money to buy quality materials.
By doing this, we will have reduced or no cases of collapsed bridges.
The government should urge people to pinpoint bridges that were poorly constructed so that they can be rebuilt and properly constructed.
Engineers should expand roads passing through places where bridges are constructed to make it easier for vehicles to move without overtaking each other thus reducing the rate of accidents and road carnages.
It is the work of Kenya National Highway Authorities to know the weight the bridges can accommodate.
They should therefore give information on the type of vehicles that can use the given bridge at a given time.
Drivers need to observe and take precautions keenly while approaching rivers during these heavy rains especially now.
Student, Maasai Mara University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
