Kitengela residents protest against failure to repair bridge

Business came to a halt at Noonkopir area in Kajiado county after angry boda boda riders barricaded the busy Kitengela-Noonkopir road.

The more than 300 riders were protesting a county government delay to repair a Sh9 million bridge that caved in three months ago.

The riders were accompanied by residents, who barricaded the road using stones and bonfires.

The riders also constructed a temporary footbridge alongside the collapsed one that caved in a few days after being commissioned by the county government.

Business came to a halt at Noonkopir area in Kajiado county after boda boda riders barricaded the busy Kitengela-Noonkopir road. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Hundreds of motorists plying the route were forced to use the Kitengela-Ngurunga road which is the only alternative route.

The riders accused the Roads department of laxity in repairing the bridge, saying it remains a risk to pedestrians and school children.

''This bridge, which connects Kitengela town and Noonkopir, collapsed three months ago. The county government has not bothered to repair it,'' said resident Willys Nyagito.

Boda boda riders barricaded the Kitengela-Noonkopir road on Saturday protesting a county government delay to repair a bridge. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]  

He said the construction was a waste of government money as the contractor allegedly used substandard material on the 3.4km road.

''How do you use such metal bars and poor quality materials to make a bridge that is also used by lorries?" Nyagito said.

However, in a quick rejoinder, Governor Joseph Lenku defended his government over the bridge, saying the matter is being attended to.

Speaking during the commissioning of Kyangombe primary school, Lenku accused some local politicians of hiring goons to oppose development.

Boda boda riders barricaded the busy Kitengela-Noonkopir road in protests on Saturday over a delayed repair on a collapsed bridge. [Peterson Githaiga, Saturday] 

''We are very much aware that the incident going on in this town is as a result of incitement."

He said the contractor who was awarded the tender has been blacklisted.

Lenku warned that contractors who do shoddy work and don't complete their projects will have action taken against them.