Government told to urgently repair collapsing Kainuk Bridge in Turkana

By Silah Koskei

Turkana, Kenya: The Government has been urged to allocate funds for the rehabilitation of Kainuk Bridge in Turkana South District.

The bridge over Turkwel River, which links the area to other regions, is reportedly falling apart.

Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok expressed concern over the state of the bridge, and called for an urgent response from the Government to avert a looming disaster.

“The national Government has a mandate to rehabilitate the collapsing bridge as its parts of its duties according to the new Constitution,” he said.

He attributed the state of the bridge to continued use by heavy trucks carrying relief food to Turkana County and also those headed to the neighbouring Southern Sudan.

The governor added that he has already written to the national government with regard to the matter.

The bridge connects Pokot and Turkana counties and is also the main link to South Sudan.

Nanok, who spoke to The Standard on telephone, said the recent county assessment of the bridge indicated extensive damage, which needs immediate repair.

Heavy rains

“Bridge repair is a function of the national Government and it should rehabilitate it before the commencement of heavy rains,” he said.

Nanok said ongoing oil exploration in the region may also be jeopardised, as Tullow Oil – the firm spearheading petroleum mining activities in the area – depends on the bridge to transport equipment to the site.

Kainuk assistant chief Sarah Lochodo said heavy vehicles, over 40 tonnes, plying the Kitale-Lodwar route have contributed to the widening of the crack on the bridge.

“It will be unfortunate for the bridge to sink despite the prior knowledge of the national Government because it will greatly impact on development in the area and neighbouring counties,” she added.