Bobasi residents upbeat as government repairs key bridge

Residents of Nyamache, Bobasi in Kisii are finally breathing a sigh of relief as repairs end on the long-damaged bridge that once served as a vital link between the main Sub-county capital and a key administrative suburb.

The bridge was destroyed by storm floods three years ago.

It has since remained unusable forcing the residents to take long detours and endure delays in emergency services, school transportation, and daily commutes.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said a local John Arati.

“We have been waiting for years, and it often felt like we were forgotten. This bridge is more than just a crossing — it connects us to jobs, security installation, healthcare, and each other.”

The repair project is being funded at a cost of Sh20 million.

Bobasi Member of Parliament Innocent Obiri has been pushing for its repairs, often braving a storm of protests, some sponsored by his opponents against delays in having work done.

The first phase of the construction has taken three months according to project managers.

Project engineer Nahashon Ombati said they are now on the final legwork of the construction.

“This is not just about restoring a piece of infrastructure; it’s about restoring community connection and resilience,” he said.

“We hope in the next month all remaining portion could have been completed,” he told journalists during a visit .

For many in the area, the bridge’s return symbolizes hope and progress after years of hardship.

“We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Thomas Mongare another resident who worships at a local Pentecostal church at the riverbank.

Lorry owners narrated exasperation using a muddy detour, sometimes skidding in the mud for hours.

“I am one person who had eagerly been looking forward to the day we drive across again like we used to,” stated John Kerosi ,a driver serving a local academy.

MP Obiri separately praised the exceptional workmanship behind the construction of the new bridge .

“This bridge is not only a vital piece of infrastructure but a symbol of what our community can achieve through hard work and collaboration,” the MP stated

The key bridge serves hundreds of commuters who connect to the town from Nyacheki and Kiamokama.