Pedestrians, boda boda riders in danger of falling through giant bridge hole

A giant hole sitting on the edge of the Isou bridge along the Nguni-Garissa road, in Mwingi, Kitui, is causing worry among residents of the area.

A hurriedly placed cordon ribbon, sticks, rotting iron and rock boulders are doing a bad job trying to demarcate the scene as a hazard spot.

According to residents who spoke to Wananchi Reporting, it is not clear who erected the supposed hazard demarcation.  

Meanwhile, the edges of the hole – which opens into the base of the bridge – are slowly chipping away – and expanding towards the centre of the bridge.

David Mwema – a resident of the area – told Wananchi Reporting that the hole started developing on Wednesday, last week, and keeps widening with each passing day.

He said that: “The pothole seems to have been caused by the impact of heavy vehicles using the wet road especially now that it is raining heavily in the area.”

“As residents, we are concerned about the safety of pedestrians, especially children, motorists and boda boda riders using the road especially at night,” he said.

“It’s very easy for one to fall through the hole, and into the base of the dry riverbed,” said Mwema.

The residents are asking the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) to intervene and repair the road before it starts claiming lives. They want the road repaired quickly before schools reopen next week.

The ongoing rains have continued to cause flooding and damage to property and livelihoods across the country.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country during this period.