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Elder Lister
The contentious Bomet Bridge
In Bomet County, the construction of the Kirwa footbridge, costing Kshs 6.4 million, has sparked significant controversy and public outcry. Locals have raised concerns over the bridge's safety and the seemingly high expenditure involved in its construction. The bridge, located in Chemagel Ward, was intended to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians between Kibori and Kipkewa villages in Sotik sub-county.
Residents took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, questioning the quality of the work and calling for anti-graft agencies to investigate the project. The National Construction Authority (NCA) even marked the bridge for demolition after protests erupted over its safety and construction standards. This unrest led to the bridge being dismantled by unknown individuals, leaving only metal bars and concrete slabs at the site
Bomet County officials, however, have defended the project. Philip Sawek, the County Executive in charge of Roads and Public Works, stated that the bridge met all construction requirements and standards under the supervision of county engineers. The county chief officer in the roads department, Victor Ngetich, clarified that contrary to claims, only Kshs 2.4 million was allocated for the bridge's construction, not Kshs 6.4 million
