Desperation as Athi bursts and overflows bridge
Desperation struck tens of commuters as Athi River burst its banks and submerged a bridge linking Kiambu and Machakos counties near Donyo Sabuk market.
The commuters on the Makutano –Tala Road remained stranded near the Donyo Sabuk Bridge for the better part of the day waiting for the waters to subside. The overflow began at around 10am, catching commuters unawares.
Near the bridge, matatus and personal vehicles had been parked as commuters sought other alternatives.
Thika East Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Sankei, who visited the area, warned motorists against crossing the river.
Sankei said traffic police would be deployed in the area to stop reckless drivers from attempting to drive through the bridge.
He said the situation had been recurring every rainy season and hoped contractors tarmacking the Tala-Makutano road which was launched four years ago would address the challenge.
“We hope the contractor puts up a durable bridge that should be several metres above the water level,” he said.
Last week, a police helicopter rescued a fisherman, Vincent Musila, who had been marooned by the same river waters near Fourteen Falls, a few kilometres away.
Meanwhile, residents of the nearby Kisiiki village were on Thursday evacuated as the raging floods swept away scores of their livestock.
