Kiambiu youth erect makeshift bridge as floods leave trail of destruction

Kiambiu residents joined hands in the construction of a temporary bridge after heavy rains on Tuesday washed away their main bridge, disrupting their business operations for two days.

The bridge which connects Kiambiu, Buruburu, and Eastleigh Section 3 was washed away on Tuesday after the Nairobi river burst its banks, leaving a trail of destruction.

Leading the project are local youths who opted to reconstruct a makeshift bridge following the aftermath of the flood's devastation, which left many confined to their homes.

Bernard Onyango, chairman of Vihiga Village in Kiambiu, Kamukunji constituency, who led the youth in the construction of a makeshift bridge on Wednesday emphasised the urgency of the situation, saying approximately 6,000 residents rely on the bridge.

"We can't just sit idly by. Without the bridge, we're at a loss. Many of us here run small-scale businesses, and we need to find a solution to support our families."

A woman is helped to cross the makeshift bridge at Kiambiu on April 25, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Onyango said the makeshift bridge is only a temporary measure while they await a permanent solution. "The bridge will be operational from 4 am until 10 pm. After that, we'll remove it to avoid unnecessary chaos once those managing it have gone home.

He added that residents will be charged Sh10 to use the bridge, while schoolchildren can cross for free.

He explained why the residents were reluctant to relocate despite calls from the county to do so to avert a possible crisis.

"We're rebuilding our lives here. So far, we haven't received any aid. While we may consider moving, we simply don't have the means to afford better housing," he said.

"Houses near the river are also cheaper, ranging from Sh1,500 to Sh2,000, whereas those further inland cost around Sh4,000. Many cannot afford this," he added.

On her part, Mary Adhiambo, a resident of Kiambiu, said the bridge would be of great help to the community that feels disadvantaged.

"The Bridge has brought us hope. Previously, we were disadvantaged as our livelihoods depended on crossing to Buruburu and Eastleigh. Going around was not only very far but also costly. We are grateful to the young men who took it upon themselves to build a bridge for us."

Florence Otieno crosses the Nairobi River after the residents constructed a makeshift bridge on April 25, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

Dominic Mutai, one of the young men who contributed to building the bridge, said he is hopeful that their livelihoods would be restored after the devastating floods. "We understand the importance of perseverance because we rely on ourselves to keep moving forward."

According to Mutai, without the bridge, many of them were compelled to walk long distances to reach their destination. Additionally, they noticed that the Salem Bridge they initially resorted to is on the brink of collapse, prompting them to find a solution.

The floods, especially in Nairobi, have left a trail of destruction with the Kenya Red Cross revealing that at least 13 bodies have been found in various locations across Nairobi. Most bodies were recovered in Mathare, and others in Kibera and Kayole.

The flash floods have affected at least 23 counties in Kenya, including Nairobi, coastal areas, and the central region. According to the Kenya Red Cross in a statement on Tuesday, since the onset of the March-April-May rains, over 24,000 households have been affected, with more than 11,000 people displaced and thousands of acres of land submerged.

President William Ruto has pledged resources to address the flood crisis, while opposition leader Raila Odinga urged the president to declare the floods a national disaster.