Homa Bay: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has temporarily suspended the use of Kanyadhiang Bridge along Homa Bay town-Kisumu road after it developed cracks.
According to Kenya News Agency, the bridge, which has been in use for over two decades, developed cracks before deteriorating into gaping potholes posing danger to motorists. It is believed that erosion from River Kibuon could have contributed to the deteriorating status of the bridge.
Mr Stephen Otieno, a resident of Kanyadhiang, reported that some vehicles were damaged after drivers failed to notice the potholes and slow down. "Some vehicles with low clearance had their bumpers ripped off when they hit the potholes at the bridge," he said.
KeNHA officials who arrived at the scene Saturday morning closed that section of the road until the authorities worked on it. Motorists from Kendu Bay to Homa Bay and vice versa were diverted to a bypass route, passing through Kimira Oluch Smallholders Farmer Improvement Project (Kosfip) water intake point before rejoining the main road through Obama road.
Some youths took advantage of the situation to extort motorists who got lost or those whose cars got stuck in mud. The situation also led to fare hikes by matatu operators, with those traveling from Homa Bay to Kendu Bay paying Sh 150, up from the usual Sh. 100.
Boda boda riders in Kendu Bay town said that the disruptions affected their business. Mr Evans Omondi, a boda boda rider, urged KeNHA to hasten the repair works at the bridge to enable seamless flow of traffic.
Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga and Karachuonyo MP Adipo Okume advised motorists to follow instructions from traffic officers to curb accidents.