New bridge brings relief to Mbeere North residents

Mbeere North residents are celebrating the near completion of a modern bridge over River Ena along the Kanyuambora–Kamumu–Siakago road.

The bridge is a vital transport link. The new structure replaces an old low-level crossing that for decades became treacherous and deadly during the rainy seasons, disrupting daily life in the region.

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The crossing was frequently submerged when water levels rose, forcing residents to wade through or attempt unsafe crossings that sometimes proved fatal.

Across Embu county in 2024, at least 10 people drowned while trying to cross swollen seasonal rivers during heavy rains. Three of those deaths occurred in Mbeere North.

Local leaders and residents said the new bridge will provide secure, year-round access and end years of anxiety and disruption.

“We always feared floods when children had to walk to school. Many families were forced to keep their children at home during heavy rains because the crossing was too dangerous,” said Njinjo Mbiti, a community representative.

Residents often found the old crossing impassable, particularly when the river swelled after seasonal downpours. This made travel to Kanyuambora town difficult and isolated local villages.

During heavy flows, some residents carried the sick and elderly across the river on their backs. This became a short-term income-generating but risky activity for youths.

Francis Kariuki, another resident, said he was among the youths who helped residents cross during the rains. He said it put their lives at risk.

He recalled numerous near misses and rescue efforts at the old crossing. He said the bridge will save many lives and significantly boost transport in the area.

River Ena is one of the permanent rivers in Embu county, alongside Tana, Thuci, Thiba and Rupingazi. It flows from the slopes of Mount Kenya before draining into River Tana.

Residents also praised the government for upgrading the Kanyuambora–Kamumu–Siakago road to bitumen standard. They said it will transform the area’s economic prospects.

Once fully surfaced, the road and bridge are expected to reduce travel times, ease transport costs and boost access to markets, especially for farmers transporting produce to urban centres.

“These improvements will not only make travel easier but also open up business opportunities, attract investment and improve livelihoods for families across Mbeere North,” Kariuki added.

The marginalised Mbeere area has benefited from multimillion-shilling government projects, including the ongoing Sh150 million Kamata irrigation project and the Sh280 million Kanyuambora irrigation project.

The projects are designed to address perennial water shortages, despite the county hosting most of the Seven Forks dams.