Residents of Nyangores area in Bomet County have raised alarm over the deteriorating state of a bridge linking the area to Bomet town.
Led by Emily Rono and Jane Korir, the residents say the bridge poses a serious risk to lives, hence the need for intervention.
said several children have lost their lives after drowning while attempting to cross a nearby river due to the absence of a safe bridge.
“We have lost many children to this river because the bridge is in a very poor condition,” said Rono.
The residents expressed fear of taking their children to school, especially during the rainy season when the river swells.
“During the rains, the water rises, and parents fear letting their children cross to go to school because they might drown,” said Korir.
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They noted that Kyogong Primary School is located just two kilometres away, but pupils are forced to take longer and unsafe routes, spending several hours on their way to and from school.
“The school is very close, but our children take long routes and arrive late because the bridge is impassable,” Rono said.
The residents accused local leaders of failing to honour repeated promises to address the problem.
“Our leaders have promised many times to fix the bridge, but nothing has been done,” Korir lamented.
They appealed to the national government to urgently intervene, warning politicians against politicising the issue for personal gain.
“We do not want this issue used for campaigns. We want a permanent solution,” Rono said.
Residents also said the poor state of the bridge has inconvenienced patients seeking medical services at Longisa County Referral Hospital, forcing them to use longer routes that put their lives at risk.
“Sick people are suffering because ambulances and vehicles cannot pass here,” Korir added.
By Kimutai Langat
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