Residents of Mulikanji village in Butere constituency are urging the government to repair a bridge that collapsed a month ago. They reported that the bridge’s collapse has severely impacted education, health services, and trade in the area.
The bridge, which connected Mulikanji to Musango village in Mumias West constituency, fell in August during the school holidays. Alice Akungwi, a local resident, highlighted the dangers, noting that five school children narrowly escaped serious injury or death when the bridge gave way.
“We would be dealing with five funerals in this village if those children hadn’t known how to swim,” Akungwi said.
She also pointed out that women who sell vegetables and other produce at Imanga market now face additional costs. They are forced to pay Sh100 per person per boat trip to cross the river, which significantly reduces their profits.
Additionally, some students from Musango primary and secondary schools, whose parents cannot afford the daily boat fares, have had to stay home since schools reopened. Some children have had to move in with relatives in Mumias East to continue their education.
Akungwi also mentioned cultural concerns, noting that women who have recently given birth to twins cannot use boats due to Luhya traditions that believe it would endanger their children’s lives.
Silas Mapesa said the bridge’s collapse has exacerbated existing economic difficulties. “Women who rely on casual labor are going hungry because they can’t cross the river to find work,” he said.
He added that access to medical services has been hampered, as the only local dispensary is across the river. “Sometimes, a patient needs urgent care, but there’s no one to operate the boat. This makes it very difficult to assist such patients,” Mapesa said.
Attempts to reach MP Tindi Mwale for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
