Without a bridge, locals use inflated tyre to cross River Nzoia

Patrick Wafula ferries his 'passengers' across River Nzoia in Lugari constituency for a small fee. This is a risky mode of transport and residents from Bungoma and Kakamega have appealed to their respective county governments to construct a bridge for them. [PHOTO: CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD]

KAKAMEGA: For residents of Kakamega and Bungoma counties, crossing River Nzoia is not an exercise for the faint-hearted.

There once was a bridge but it was destroyed by warring communities during the 2007-2008 post election violence and it is yet to be replaced.

Lives have been lost as residents attempt to cross the few metres to the other side and it is this state of affairs that caused 32-year-old Patrick Wafula to come up with an innovative idea.

“Women and children were using stones to cross the river and many would fall and drown because they cannot swim. I decided to help them cross by ferrying them on an inflated tyre tube, for which they pay between Sh50 and Sh100,” he said.

Despite this innovation, the crossing is not any easier and is still a nightmare for children who are often forced to skip classes or take shelter at relatives’ homes once the river gets swollen during the heavy rains.

NOT INTERESTING

Residents are now appealing to the two county governments to join hands and construct a solid, modern bridge.

Despite earning his living from the lack of a bridge, Wafula echoes the residents’ sentiments saying the daily back and forth across the river is not without challenges.

“Sometimes the tyre bursts when we are halfway across the river which endangers my passengers’ lives. When this happens, my two colleagues and I are forced to help them yet we do not have swimming aids or diving equipment. Also, the long hours spent in the cold water are taking a toll on me, causing me chest problems and I now fear getting pneumonia,” he said.

Edina Mulira, a 74-year-old resident wants the bridge constructed saying the current state of affairs is affecting family interactions.

“I do not see my grandchildren as much as I would like because an old woman like me cannot cross the river using a tyre and my grandchildren cannot visit me often because they cry all the way for fear of falling into the water,” she said.

For Job Alinya, a businessman from the county who has to travel to Kakamega daily, the night hours are the most precarious.

“Crossing the river at 10pm is very risky. The darkness makes navigation difficult and one has to contend with the possibility of meeting with hippos and other dangerous species found in the water. God is the only one protecting us,” he said.

RISKY AFFAIR

Alinya said unless deliberate efforts are made, the region will continue to lag behind in development.

“The two counties need good relations to encourage development, attract investors, educate children and renovate health centres. This can only be realised by having a bridge since more than 100 families depend on the crossigng as the easiest mode of access to the nearest town,” he said.

The danger posed by relying on a tyre to cross the river is something Rachel Asulwa, a Standard Eight pupil at Namunyiri primary school knows only too well.

“You need courage to cross the river especially when the current is high because it becomes difficult to control the tube,” Asulwa said.

She continued: “Sometimes people lie on the floating tube in a swimming position and use their hands to paddle. We are risking our lives each time we do this yet we do not know when this will end.”

According to Florence Mbusia, people opt to take the risk because crossing the river is shorter than using the road.

“It is just 35 metres across the river on the floating tube but 56 kilometres by road. Locals have no other way to get to school, hospital or the market and therefore end up endangering their lives. We are tired of our leaders’ pledges to build a bridge across the river, which are yet to materialise,” she said.

Related Topics

River Nzoia