The Government will begin construction of two footbridges in Shakahola and Bombi at a cost of Sh. 80 million before the end of this year, Public Works Principal Secretary Prof. Paul Maringa said on Monday.
The Two foot bridges were swept away by floods when the River Galana broke its banks in April this year cutting off links between Shakahola and Baricho while the other one that is 15 kilometres away connects Bombi and Kisiki Cha Mzungu area.
Prof Maringa said a team of engineers have been dispatched on the ground to set up the designs of the two foot bridges and are expected to complete the process in two weeks.
Speaking at Shakahola after a fact finding tour of the footbridge together with Magarini Member of Parliament Michael Kingi and Member of county Assembly Stanley Kenga the PS said there was urgent need for the two bridges to be constructed to save the locals from the deadly crocodiles and hippos in river Galana.
Currently locals both young and old, men and women including school children have to cross on foot which puts them at high risks of attacks by the crocodiles and hippos.
“Seeing is believing, we heard the complaints from the local leadership and have confirmed that there is a problem, without the bridges two communities have been separated,’’ he said during a meeting with the locals.
As the meeting went on school children from Baricho but learning in Shakahola crossed to the other side as they rushed home for lunch, while women carrying their young ones and heavy loads of goods also passed to cross the river.
Motor cycle operators also had no choice but to risk the crocodile infested river as it’s easier to access Malindi than travelling to Marafa, then cross the Sabaki Bridge.
The Principal Secretary said the issue of the bridge cannot wait as it required urgent intervention.
“We need a quick solution as the one in charge of Public works I will go and inform the transport Cabinet secretary , I don’t want to promise anything now but I assure you of our commitment,’’ he said.
Each bridge he said could be constructed at an estimated cost of Sh. 40 million.
“We shall be looking for funds, then do the tendering , advertisements , we need it to take the shortest time possible, normally its less than two months, so before the end of the year the project will start,’’ he said.
The MP said the PS had brought a solution to the problem faced by the locals.
Residents who spoke the bridge normally support the area economically as transportation of goods and movement of people and even products is easier.
The project comes barely 1 month after Deputy president William Ruto launched a Sh. 2.3 billion to connect Langobaya and Baricho which is already underway.
So many lives have also been lost when people cross the river due to constant crocodile and hippo attacks.