Residents of Chesongo village in Baringo Central were left stunned after a new footbridge was swept away by floods on the same night it was officially launched. The bridge was inaugurated on Sunday by Baringo County Chief Agriculture Officer Milka Toromo.
The iron and cement footbridge was swept away by heavy floods on Sunday night. Residents had previously relied on a wooden bridge, with school children facing the greatest risks during rains as they crossed the swollen river.
Residents contributed Sh500 per family toward the new bridge, while Milka Toromo and other donors added more than Sh150,000 to complete the project. Local Vincent Kiloo said he used the bridge on Sunday afternoon to take someone to hospital but learned on Monday that it had been washed away.
“I am still surprised how an iron and cement bridge can be swept away in one day while the wooden one lasted more than five years,” Kiloo said. Remains of the bridge were found 200 metres downstream.
Some residents, including Edwin Chacha, claim the bridge was poorly constructed with weak materials. They are now appealing to the county government for help to build a replacement, as children must again be carried across the river on their backs to reach school.
