Kiambiu bridge acts as an important connection between Kiambiu, Eastleigh South and Uhuru, Outering Road. Popularly known as Stage 23 bridge, it has been in a neglected state for more than 4 years, posing a grave risk to the lives of the men, women, and school children who use it daily.
On the morning of 24th April 2024, following a night of heavy rains, residents found themselves stranded as they could not cross the swollen Nairobi River because the dilapidated bridge had been swept away by the fast-flowing water.
Over the years, Kiambiu residents had repeatedly raised the issue of constructing a permanent and safe bridge with their leaders but the only action taken was the erection of three concrete pillars in 2019, after which the project was abandoned.
The bridge is a popular crossing point for school children and with schools about to reopen for the second term, many parents are anxious about how their children will make it to school. They’re urging the MCA Eastleigh South, Nicholas Okwacho Juma, and MP for Kamukunji, Yusuf Hasan Abdi, to come to their aid.
Meanwhile, as residents wait for their leaders to act, Kiambiu youth have decided to take matters into their own hands. After purchasing some wood and other building materials, they constructed a temporary bridge to help the residents cross to the other side. Residents are being charged Ksh 20 each per crossing.
It seems that in the absence of any official government assistance, some citizens will come up with their own solutions to the problems they face. Perhaps the way forward would be to mobilize these active citizens to help the county government in places where it appears to be struggling to provide basic services.
