Uhuru commissions Ksh 1B bridge in Railas backyard

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, July 12 commissioned a Ksh 1 billion bridge connecting Mbita Town to Rusinga Island.

The opening of the bridge is a great relief to residents who have suffered for decades trying to cross to and from the island and the main land.

Many residents have drowned as a result of boats capsizing, while others have been attacked and killed by hippos trying to cross Lake Victoria.

Addressing rallies in Rusinga and Mbita, the President called upon people of Homa Bay County to vote for him as the Jubilee administration has proven it cares about the interests of the people of Nyanza region contrary to claims by the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA).

“My government will construct more roads in Home Bay County including the Rusinga Island ring road and Mfangano road,” said the President.

The bridge replaces a causeway built in 1983 that blocked the flow of water thereby reducing the fish population.

The new bridge will also help solve the water hyacinth menace that is choking the lake, as blocking the flow of water contributed to the weeds’ growth.

The newly-commissioned bridge is about 160m long, 10 meters wide and 8m high, therefore allowing water vessels less than 8m high pass under it.