Residents of Narok County can now breathe a sigh of relief after the government, through the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), completed the construction of two foot bridges in the area at a cost of Sh80 million.
The bridges, one located across River Narok in Narok Town and the other near the Maasai Mara Technical Training Institute across River Siyiabei, are now open for public use.
Residents who spoke to KNA praised the initiative, saying it eased motorists flow along the busy highway and reduced chances of accidents at the two spots.
Mary Silantoi, a student at Maasai Mara University, recalled an incident where she fell and got injured after being almost run over by a speeding lorry at the bridge across River Narok.
“The lorry was moving with high speed, rubbing the left side of my body, causing me to fall along the road. I sustained a fracture on my left leg, but thank God for some good Samaritans who rescued me and took me to the Narok County Referral Hospital for treatment,” she recalled.
Ms. Silantoi is optimistic that with the new footbridge in use, such incidents will not be witnessed as both the motorists and pedestrians will have separate places to cross the river.
Milton Salaon, a journalist working for a local radio station, also lauded the new projects, saying that during rainy seasons, the water level in the river rises and flows along the road, posing a great danger to the pedestrians.
“The construction of the two footpaths is a big relief to the Narok residents, especially learners at the Maasai Mara University and St. Peter’s primary school who cross the River Narok bridge to access Narok town and Maasai Mara Technical Institute students who cross the River Siyabei daily,” he underscored.
By Ann Salaton
