The delayed construction of a key bridge that collapsed last year could affect the smooth running of national examinations in Nyamache Sub County, professionals have warned.
The bridge, which connects the Deputy County Commissioner's office, collapsed in May 2023 as a result of heavy rains and is yet to be constructed despite protests from residents.
With the national examination beginning on Tuesday amid heavy rains affecting the Kisii region, professionals now say the lack of the bridge could hamper transportation of examinations in the sub-county.
In a statement released after a meeting of professionals from Bobasi Constituency, the professionals led by Doctor Samwel Siringi said the construction of the bridge should be considered urgent.
They argued that although Sh20 million was reportedly allocated by the Kerra to construct a modern bridge, nothing has happened yet nearly two years later with residents suffering.
"We are extremely concerned and infuriated over the suffering of area residents occasioned by the delayed construction of the Nyamache bridge that collapsed two years ago,'' reads part of the statement signed by Siringi.
"The worst part of this is that, as national examinations start Tuesday, centre managers will not be able to access the Deputy County Commissioner's office by road, which has been cut off by the collapsed abridge."
The professionals regretted that examination officials would be dropping off their cars more than two kilometres away - at the point where the bridge collapsed - and walking nearly two kilometres to the distribution centre to pick up or return examination materials.
"This will cause unnecessary fatigue for the examination officials, besides delaying the start of examinations,'' Siringi said after the meeting of professionals.
"We understand that the Government, through the Kenya Rural Roads Authority, has set aside more than Sh20 million for the bridge as early as the last financial year. We cannot, therefore, understand the reason why the bridge construction cannot start to restore easy access to hospitals.''
The professionals asked Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir to step in so that the bridge can be constructed urgently to alleviate any further suffering of the residents.
The bridge is crucial as it serves the chief's camp where various government offices are located including the Nyamache Sub-County Hospital and police lines.
"Patients cannot access the Nyamache hospital by road,'' Sirigi said.