Mwingi residents can now breathe a sigh of relief as the
construction of Enziu Bridge resumes after stalling for years.
Construction of the killer Bridge began in December 2021, soon after it claimed at least 32 lives, but it stalled.
Speaking in Mwingi, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stated that the project stalled due to financial disputes with the contractor, but through his
intervention, the matter has since been resolved.
He went on to say that the money that was at the centre of
contention has been paid, and the contractor resumed work in May.
The DP assured residents that he will personally ensure the bridge does not stall again and that the remaining amount is paid as work
on the bridge continues.
Enziu Bridge will be constructed at the cost of Sh165
million.
“Enziu Bridge has taken the lives of many people. It started
and stalled because the contractor was demanding Sh91 million from the
government. I want to announce that the bill was paid, and the contractor returned on May 14,” Kindiki said.
“This bridge will not stall again, and I will make sure that the remaining amount, another Sh74 million, is paid as work continues. It’s a
big bridge that will cost Sh165 million. I want assure you that I will push for
the completion of the bridge as soon as possible. It will not stall again.”
The DP added that he has also directed the contractor to
work uninterrupted and complete the bridge by December this year without fail.
He insisted that there will be no time extension.
On December 4, 2021, a 51-seater school bus carrying
members of a Catholic church choir, wedding guests, and other passengers
attempted to cross the Enziu River on the Nguni–Nuu route in Kitui County,
following overnight rains. The concrete drift was submerged and broken in some places.
As the bus entered the swollen river, strong currents swept
it off the drift and plunged it into the waters, submerging almost entirely
within minutes.
Rescue teams, including Kenya Navy divers and Red Cross
personnel, managed to save 12 passengers (4 of them children), while the death
toll rose to around 32, with some reports indicating up to 33 fatalities