Awendo MP Walter Owino has fulfilled his pledge of building the Kakmasia bridge over river Kuja where it was commissioned for residents to use.
“Before this bridge was built, residents were forced to cross the river using rickety boats or on foot which was dangerous,” Owino said
The bridge will now offer residents a safe crossing between Kakmasia East and West sub-locations in the North Sakwa area, an area that has been a black spot and has claimed lives before.
“This bridge connects seven clans who share amenities like hospitals, schools, markets and churches, the CDF kitty had to seek emergency funds to ensure the bridge is completed on time,” the Legislator said.
In February this year two Nyakuru Mixed Secondary School students Caroline Atieno and Felix Omondi drowned as they were heading home from school in the evening.
The boat they were in capsized in raging river waters after a heavy downpour.
Gordon Onyango Ojwang, 28, a diver who tried to retrieve the bodies also died after he drowned.
Alfred Odete, an elder said before the footbridge was completed they were forced to travel for over 20 kilometres to access the other side of the river.
“We had to travel all the way to Awendo town to get to the other side, which made us suspend schools for children and market for women during heavy rains‚” Odete said.
Odete said the bridge will bring to end deaths caused by accidents and open up the area.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris.