Residents of Kalwande village in Seme, Kisumu County, are up in arms over a risky makeshift bridge put up by a contractor.
They claim at least 10 people have fallen off the makeshift bridge, with the latest victim having been buried last Thursday.
Samson Otieno was the first victim of the bridge in Kolenyo that connects Kalwande and Kanyadera villages.
The bridge was constructed by Nam Rajope for temporary use following ongoing construction of the main bridge.
According to Judith Adhiambo, her husband was returning from Bondo on August 7 when he slipped on the corduroy bridge and plunged five metres into the river.
Residents are now threatening to sue the contractor, Nam Rajope, for compensation.
When The Standard visited the area yesterday, agitated residents claimed at least 10 people have fallen off the bridge since March, this year.
“The contractor is taking advantage of us because he thinks we do not understand our rights. But we want to show him that our lives matter,” said Mary Lucy Atieno.
Atieno’s 22-year-old son Erick Ochieng, a boda boda rider, is another victim.
When The Standard visited her home, the son had gone to Kisumu town for check-up following a deep cut he sustained on his hand after falling off the bridge two weeks ago.
According to Ms Atieno, Ochieng had gone to Kolenyo to repair his motorbike.
On his way back, his brother, who was his sole passenger, tried to help him cross the bridge.
They lost balance and Ochieng fell, sustaining injuries on the hand, neck and shoulder.
He was rushed to a nearby private hospital where he was treated and discharged.
About 500 metres from Atieno’s home we find Okoth Ooko, who also fell off the bridge last week.
Okoth was also crossing the bridge with his bike when he accidentally fell.
“The next thing is to put the contractor to task to compensate the people who have suffered. The contractor is obligated to provide a proper diversion when working on such a project,” said David Ouma, the late Otieno’s brother.
However, Geoffrey Awuonda, the project manager, dismissed the residents and instead blamed them for being drunk and careless while using the makeshift bridge.
He said the contractor did not get money to construct a diversion and opted to make the makeshift bridge.
