Construction of a bridge in Tebere area of Kirinyaga County is set to be completed by December. Governor Anne Waiguru confirmed the report and said the bridge is set to spur economic growth in the area and end the era of using makeshift wooden bridge.
“The county has embarked on a massive road improvement program that will open up the interior parts of the county for sustained social and economic development. We are building bridges to ensure our farmers, traders have easy and fast access to markets,” said the governor.
The bridge is being constructed by Kirinyaga County government and will serve over 5,000 people living in Ndindiruku, Kiumbu, Marurumo, Miatuini, and South Ngariama in Mwea constituency. The five villages had to endure using a makeshift bridge to cross the river posing a risk to their lives and making transport of farm produce costly.
Bridge of death
The villagers say the Gacuria Moyo bridge, connecting Murinduko and Tebere wards across the crocodile-infested Nyamindi River will be a big relief to farmers, school-going children and traders. Currently, the residents have to travel for around 50 kilometers to access Wang’uru Market
“The wooden structure is our bridge of death; many lives have been lost here; you hold onto your heart while crossing because anything can happen. You can slip and fall into the river or the structure can be washed away any moment. There are people who have been washed away together with the makeshift bridge never to be seen again,” said Ndwiga Njoka, a resident of Miatuini village.
Several vital bridges being built by Governor Waiguru’s administration that is lined up for completion are Kiamanyeki-Ciagini, Kaimiri-Gakarara, Matonguini, Karoboti, Kandakame, Kahuhoini and Kibukure. The county is also putting up the Getuya, Mutonga and Munjuha footbridges to ease the movement of people. The governor has already commissioned another bridge across river Nyamindi and Mahiga-ini.
