Sh700m for repair of rain-washed roads at the Coast

The government has released Sh700 million for maintenance and repair of roads and bridges damaged by heavy rains at the Coast.

Speaking after touring Mbogolo bridge on Mombasa-Kilifi road on Saturday,  Infrastructure Principal Secretary John Mosonik said the government plans to construct more durable bridges next year.

The Mbogolo bridge was last week submerged and partly damaged by flash floods following heavy rains that have been pounding the region.

“In the entire Coast region, we have put in a budget of Sh700 million to cater for maintenance of ordinary roads and also attend to emergencies like this bridge and others that were affected by flooding,” he said.

Mr Mosonik said traffic flow had resumed at Marere bridge in Kwale after a team of engineers were sent to the site.

The government would construct bigger bridges at Marere in Kwale and Mbogolo in Kilifi next year, he said, adding that the Kinango-Kwale stretch would be tarmacked to offer an alternative route from Lunga Lunga to Kinango, and connect to Mazeras on Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Following heavy rains that killed at least five people in Kwale, the Samburu-Kinango, Mariakani-Kinango, Mazeras-Kinango and Kwale-Kinango link roads have been rendered impassable.

The Mombasa-Lunga Lunga road was also cut off at Perani and Ramisi.

Kinango MP Gonzi Rai, who had accompanied the PS, said maize floor, sugar, bread and other essential commodities had run out in the town and surrounding shopping centres, exposing residents to more misery.

Commuters using Lunga Lunga-Likoni road in Kwale were compelled to seek alternative routes after a section of the road near Ramisi Bridge was destroyed by rains on Wednesday night.

Ngozi Girls, the Msambweni District Secondary Schools Netball and Handball champions, missed the Kwale county Term Two A games at Samburu Secondary because access woes.