Governor Laboso tells off construction body over bridge

Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso (left) with county Roads and Transport Executive, Eng Philip Sawek (center) and the department's Chief Officer Eng Victor Ngetich while inspecting road projects at Rongena Manaret in Sotik at the weekend. [Gilbert Mutai. Standard]

Governor Joyce Laboso has defended construction of a footbridge at a cost of Sh2.4 million that has sparked outrage from the public.

Dr Laboso told off National Construction Authority (NCA) officials who have marked the bridge for demolition, saying her administration would ignore the order.

The governor said the Kirwa pedestrian bridge in Chemagel, Sotik Constituency, would be completed as per approved specifications.

“I have taken up the matter with the NCA officials who marked it without engaging or even doing tests on the materials used,” she told journalists during the launch of a public portal platform that will be used by the electorate to engage the county in matters development. 

She said NCA did not seek an explanation from her administration over ongoing works on the bridge. 

The governor maintained works at the footbridge were as per specified standards and claimed there was an elaborate scheme by her detractors to tarnish her administration for political reasons.

“We are well aware of the negative politics being peddled around this county. This county is known for making political noises and the issues raised against Kirwa footbridge are no different,” Laboso said. 

The county chief said she would not be distracted by the claims, saying her administration will continue discharging its mandate without fear. 

“Political noises will not stop us,  we will continue with our agenda to the end,” she added. 

Her sentiments came as Roads and Transport Executive Philip Sawek threatened to sue the Government agency. 

Sawek said it was wrong for NCA officials to move to the site and mark the footbridge for demolition without engaging his office. 

“We do not work like that, NCA should have first sought an audience with us to explain what is going on. Furthermore, they did not explain why they want the bridge demolished,” said the Roads minister. 

He said they have written an official complaint to NCA.