People power: Juja residents raise money to rebuild bridge damaged by floods

The bridge on Ruiru river after it was fixed by residents. [Photo: James Mwangi]

After heavy rains left trail of destruction across the country, some residents of Juja, Kiambu County, have decided not to wait for government to fix a wrecked bridge which is a gateway to several estates in Theta Ward.

A makeshift bridge on Ruiru River which connected Juja and Ruiru sub-counties was washed away in April. Built by the community in 2016, the bridge was a lifeline for residents of Ngoma Tupu, Gwa Tom, Karia and Ndururumo estates.

Residents, led by Alfred Lang’at, raised funds to fix the barriers which had been knocked down by floods, posing grave danger to users.

Through a WhatsApp group, they formed an eight-member committee, that included engineers, and in one week, they raised Sh472,000.

“Residents, schools, churches, matatu operators and our MCA contributed. We rebuild it better with reinforced bank walls and bollards to prevent vehicles from slipping into the river” he told The Nairobian.

Lang’at said they decided to act instead of waiting for the government. The achievement, he said, should be a wake-up call to leaders.

“If a community can achieve this on their own, imagine what can be accomplished if leaders partner with them,” he said.

Francis Thiong’o said they were pushing for a wider, studier bridge that will accommodate heavy vehicles.