A sugarcane truck fell into a raging river after a bridge it was crossing collapsed.
The bridge which has served residents of Riat and Oria in Migori county for 44 years gave way on Wednesday, at dawn, May 12, 2021, just as the truck was crossing.
The bridge which connects Migori County and Homa Bay County was built in the 1970s by the British Army in conjunction with the Kenyan government – and is believed to have some historical significance in the region.
South Kanyikela Location area chief Moses Ongong’a confirmed to Mwanahabari.co.ke that the dawn accident left one person nursing injuries, adding that there were no fatalities.
“The driver sustained minor injuries and was rushed to hospital where he is currently being treated. The doctors said he should be fine,” noted the chief.
A source who who did not wish to be named blamed the degeneration of the bridge on uncontrolled use of the bridge by sugarcane factories.
“This bridge was made during the days of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. It’s an old bridge which had not been envisaged for use by heavy trucks transporting cane on the sugar-belt. The trucks kept using the bridge even though it was not meant to support such heavy loads,” noted the source.
On his part, Chief Ongong’a noted that the bridge had become weak over time.
“The bridge was built in 1977 and was meant specifically for light weight vehicles and people crossing on foot. But because of the many years it has been in use, the metallic beams gathered rust, slowly weakening the whole structure. It’s the surrounding sugarcane factories that have been maintaining the bridge,” noted Ongong’a.
Residents asked the area administration to put up a new bridge.
“We want Migori Governor Okoth Obado to help us by building a new bridge as soon as possible to avoid disruptions in transport. This is a very important crossing to the residents,” one of the residents noted on social media.
Another noted thus: “This bridge is an old one, and has been in very bad shape, but has constantly been used by heavily loaded sugarcane trucks,” noted one Lameck.
The Nyanza region has been experiencing heavy rains which have flooded roads and eroded important infrastructure.
Kenya Meteorological department recently issued a statement notifying Kenyans of heavy rains expected to pound various parts of the country.
The weatherman said that the rains are expected in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
In the statement, the weather department stated that the rains are also expected in Western, Nyanza, Central and South Rift Valley regions.
“The counties include Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kisii, Siaya, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet, Nakuru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Narok,” read the statement.
Other parts to be affected with the rains include Machakos, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kilifi, Lamu Tana River and others.
All drivers have been asked to drive carefully during the rains.