A newly built bridge that cost the Kajiado County Government Sh100 million to construct has collapsed, days after it was commissioned by Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
Paai bridge Kajiado East, which was constructed across River Orkeriai in Kajiado East, collapsed following heavy rains that rocked the area .Residents crossing to either side were left stranded after the bridge’s pillars gave in to the pressure of the flash floods and collapsed.
The bridge was supposed to connect three wards of Matapato North (Kajiado Central), /Eselenkei (Kajiado South) and Kenyawa Poka Ward in Kajiado East Sub- County.These three wards share a common road that leads them across River Orkeriai, the largest seasonal river in the area.
The river normally bursts its banks during the rainy season cutting off residents from accessing livestock markets and essential services at government offices and hospitals.The locals have to cross the bridge to access the services at Loitokitok, Kajiado and Mashuuru towns.
While launching the bridge governor Lenku said it would open up the area changing the lives of the residents economically.He noted that before the construction of the bridge, farmers were cut off from markets during the rainy season incurring losses as their produce rotted in the farms.
Residents said the bridge collapsed after its support structures were weakened by the flash floods.
