By Tobias Ogutu
The residents of Obunga have been living in fear due to the deteriorating condition of the Awaya Bridge. This bridge connects two communities located on opposite sides of the Awaya River. Most residents rely on the bridge to access the town center, which houses schools, shops, hospitals, and other essential social amenities. The bridge’s worsening state puts their lives at risk every time they cross it. However, their greatest concern is not just the bridge’s condition but the question of where the funds allocated for its construction have been spent over the years.
Mary Akumu, a 27-year-old woman, recounts her struggles crossing Awaya Bridge on her way to school when she was in grade 3. Mary has now completed college, yet the issue with the Awaya Bridge remains unresolved. Opondo, an elder in Obunga, explains that he and other community members, some of whom have since passed away, have been reporting the poor condition of the bridge to the Ministry of Roads and Public Works since his youth, but no action has been taken. The response they have consistently received is that the bridge will be constructed when the time comes.
The residents of Obunga claim that during the last rainy season in March, the lives of a young child attempting to cross the bridge to school and an elderly woman were lost on the same bridge. “All these lives were lost, not because of their carelessness, but due to the poor condition of the bridge,” concluded Raymond, a youth from Obunga.
The residents of Awaya claim that since 2020, they have been informed about public participation and have repeatedly proposed the construction of the Awaya Bridge. However, other projects have been approved while this critical one has been neglected. Mussa, who was born and raised near the Awaya River, laments that their leaders do not live within the community that uses this bridge and, therefore, are not affected by its condition. This, he believes, is why they do not care about constructing the Awaya Bridge and leave the residents to use what he calls a “death trap.”
The residents of Obunga are urging all Kisumu County Assembly members to approve the construction of the Awaya Bridge, a proposal they have presented for the fifth time during public participation. The Obunga community considers this matter urgent, as the current structure poses a significant threat to human life. They no longer want to use this dangerous bridge.
