UHURU’S SH1.2B SIGIRI BRIDGE IN BUDALANGI COLLAPSES – PHOTOS
Posted on Jun 26, 2017109628 Views
LEFT: President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto inspects the construction works of the Sigiri bridge on June 14, 2017. RIGHT: The bridge collapsed on June 26, 2017.
By GAITANO PESSA, gpesa@ke.nationmedia.com
The iconic Sigiri bridge under construction in Budalangi Constituency, Busia County, has collapsed a fortnight after president Uhuru Kenyatta visited the region to inspect it.
The Sh 1.2 billion government-funded bridge is being constructed by Chinese Overseas Construction and Engineering Company.
It collapsed under it’s own weight early Monday.
PHOTO | NATION REPORTER
The cause of the collapse is yet to be known, though it is suspected the construction works was hurriedly done ahead of President’s visit.
During Mr Kenyatta’s inspection tour, Project Manager Jerome Xzue Hua said they were focusing on the concrete slab and embankment.
“We did not focus on much on road construction on the Northern side because the most critical point of construction is the bridge’s slab.
PHOTO | NATION REPORTER
“We expect to complete the bitumen work at the end of June for the entire 3 kilometres for both the northern and southern parts.”
The bridge was set become operational mid July. It links Bunyala North and Bunyala South wards.
Area MP Ababu Namwamba, during President Kenyatta’s tour, said the bridge was a blessing to residents because it will make it easier for people to access markets, schools and hospitals.
Mr Namwamba has been using the bridge as a campaign tool for his re-election for a third term.
Other projects that were inspected during Mr Kenyatta’s trip included Manyasi- Budalangi-Ruambwa- Port Victoria-Bukoma- Marenga road network under construction and Sisenye Irrigation Scheme.
A boat tragedy in the river in 2014 claimed 11 lives. Among those who perished was Brian Juma, a form three student at John Osogo Secondary school, whose burial was attended by President Kenyatta who promised ensure a bridge is constructed to avert more deaths.
PHOTO | NATION REPORTER
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Uhuru's Sh1.2b Sigiri bridge in Budalangi collapses - PHOTOS - Nairobi News