Earth tremors not to blame for Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road cracks

Section of Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road that developed cracks.

Naivasha, Kenya: Poor workmanship and not earth tremors as alleged by the Natioanl Highways Authority caused a section of the bridge along Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road to collapse.

This came as police closed a section of the road near Mirera village in Naivasha after part of the bridge collapsed on Sunday evening.

Earlier on in the day, KENHA) had issued a warning noting that earth tremors that hit parts of the country had affected the bridge along the busy road.

But engineers and leaders from Naivasha who visited the scene dismissed the alert by KENHA noting that the bridge started cracking months ago before the section finally caved in.

An engineer who declined to be named said that the materials used to construct the road were of poor quality and not meant for a bridge.

“The collapse of this bridge has nothing to do with an earthquake as claimed and this is purely poor workmanship,” said the engineer.

Naivasha OCPD Samuel Waweru confirmed that they had been forced to close the section of the road and divert motorists as it was evident that the bridge was no longer safe.

“This incident was first reported on Sunday night and after [surveying the damage,] we have been forced to block this bridge until the part that has collapsed is repaired,” he said.

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara who visited the scene termed the road as very crucial noting that there was a need to urgently repair the affected part.

She denied allegations that the bridge had collapsed due to the tremor adding that the contractor involved should be charged with poor workmanship.

“One doesn’t need to be an engineer to see that the materials used to construct this bridge are of poor quality and hence the current crisis,” she said.

The MP called for an inspection of all bridges between Mai Mahiu and Nakuru noting that there were fears that they could also collapse.