IFTIN – Garissa residents and motorists have called for the expedited completion of the Garissa-Madogo road and the newly commissioned Tana River Bridge.
The road, which was severely damaged by the El Niño rains of 2023 and 2024, is set for reconstruction at a cost of KSh1.7 billion.
President William Ruto officially launched the project on Thursday, assuring residents that the new bridge and approach roads would end the long-standing transportation challenges faced by the people of Garissa and Tana River counties.
“The suffering our people have endured due to the destruction of the old bridge will soon be a thing of the past,” President Ruto said during the launch.
Frequent users of the Garissa-Madogo road have urged the government to speed up construction, citing the immense economic and social impact of the damaged infrastructure.
“For months, we have been struggling. The diversion routes are in terrible condition, and transport costs have doubled,” said Ahmed Noor, a bus driver who plies the route daily.
“We just hope the project is completed on time.”
Mrs. Fatuma Abdi, a businesswoman in Garissa town said delays in transport have affected trade and access to essential goods.
“When the bridge was damaged, we could barely get fresh produce from other regions. Prices skyrocketed, and businesses suffered. The new bridge will bring much-needed relief,” she said.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has confirmed that the new bridge will be a meter higher and 150 meters longer than the old structure.
Upon completion, the older bridge—now 43 years old—will be reserved for light traffic, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and livestock.
“The new bridge will be more resilient to flooding and will accommodate heavy traffic, ensuring that economic activities are not disrupted in the future,” said KeNHA’s Director General.
For many locals, the promise of a modern bridge is welcome news, but they remain hopeful that the project will not be delayed.
“We have heard many promises before. We just want action,” said Hussein Omar, a boda boda rider. “Let them finish it fast so life can go back to normal.”
