British-built bridge connecting Homa Bay, Migori collapses

Thousands of traders suffered a setback after a 41-year-old bridge connecting Homa Bay and Migori counties collapsed.

Riat bridge was constructed on River Kuja in 1980 by the British military.

The bridge has huge economic significance because it connects Oria market in Uriri Constituency, Migori County, to various parts of Homa Bay County.

It collapsed at about 4am on Wednesday. A trailer that was transporting sugarcane to Sukari Industries plunged into the river when the bridge collapsed.

The driver of the trailer sustained minor injuries and was taken to a health facility at Riat trading centre in Ndhiwa.

Eyewitnesses said the bridge collapsed due to the weight of the trailer and sugarcane that it carried.

The sugar firm confirmed the mishap, saying that one of their trucks was on the bridge and was headed to Homa Bay to deliver the cane.

“It is worth noting that about four years ago, we restricted our drivers from using that bridge. It is against this backdrop that we have launched an investigation to establish why the driver decided to go against the directive of the company and use the bridge,” said Sukari Industries.

The firm said it was working closely with the local community and leaders from the region with a view to ensuring that a solution is found.

According to a resident who is also the speaker of the informal Ndhiwa Bunge La Wenyenchi Milton Orwe, the collapse has affected movement and trade. 

Orwe said the bridge was also used by Ndhiwa residents to access health services in Migori.

He blamed the government for the slow response in fixing the bridge. “We had petitioned the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to act on the bridge following its dilapidated status. It is unfortunate the bridge has collapsed before any action was taken.”

The collapse of the bridge is a serious economic setback to thousands of traders from Ndhiwa, Nyatike and parts of Uriri constituencies who have been relying on it to access Oria market which has been of economic significance to residents of Homa Bay and Migori counties.

Oria is the main livestock market serving traders from Uriri, Ndhiwa, Nyatike, Awendo, Rongo, parts of Suba North and Homa Bay Town constituencies. Its market days are Tuesday and Friday.

Secretary of the Luo Council of Elders in Homa Bay County Joram Okola said many people are going to lose their sources of livelihood due to the collapse of the bridge.

 “Oria market is synonymous with livestock trade because it is where livestock farmers and traders from a number of constituencies in Migori and Homa Bay buy or sell their livestock,” Okola said.

Okola expressed concerns that many parents who rely on the livestock trade may be unable to pay school fees for their children due to the collapse of the bridge.

“It is very unfortunate that the bridge has collapsed at a time when parents expected to take their livestock to the market on Friday to get school fees.”

He said the bridge has also been helpful in supplying foodstuff between the two counties. “We call on the government authorities to intervene and enable us to get a permanent solution to this problem.” 

Ndhiwa Sub-county Police Commander Robert Aboki said police had requested a crane from Kisumu to help remove the trailer from the river.