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Residents of two wards in Laikipia have received a major boost after the county government launched construction of a crucial bridge linking six villages, ending decades of isolation and dangerous river crossings.

The Sh12.4 million, eight-metre bridge across River Sirimon is expected to significantly ease movement between Umande and Mukogodo East, while putting an end to recurring drowning incidents that have long plagued the area.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Joshua Irungu said residents had endured 40 years of hardship after the previous bridge was swept away by floods.

“This bridge has been a nightmare for residents over the years. Connecting Kalalu and Umande areas has been so difficult due to the poor state of this bridge. As a county, we are happy to launch it. It will be a game changer for residents,” he said.

For years, residents have been forced to travel up to eight kilometres to access essential services such as a dispensary and a secondary school located just across the river, especially during the rains.

The situation has particularly affected students, patients and traders who rely on daily movement across the area.

The project, which is scheduled for completion by June, is expected to bring relief to motorists, boda boda operators and farmers who have been relying on unsafe makeshift bridges that often resulted in loss of lives and property.

Irungu assured residents that funds had already been allocated in the current financial year and the contractor is on site to ensure timely completion.

He said the bridge project will be complemented by the grading and murraming of the road linking Kararu Dispensary to Umande Primary School, a move aimed at improving access to healthcare, education and markets while boosting local economic activities.

Umande MCA Daniel Mugweru said the lack of a proper bridge had for years slowed development in the area, cutting off communities and limiting trade opportunities.

“This area could not grow without the proper road connectivity. Once its completed, businesses will thrive and residents will have money in their pockets”.

Residents welcomed the project, terming it a long-awaited solution to years of suffering.

Resident Mary Muthoni said several accidents had occurred due to the absence of a safe bridge.

She said the new bridge will make it easier to transport farm produce to markets and improve livelihoods.

Road connectivity in Laikipia has been historically uneven due to vast distances, rugged terrain and dispersed settlements.

Key transport corridors such as the Nanyuki–Rumuruti and Nanyuki–Nyahururu roads serve as the backbone of movement within the county, linking it to neighbouring regions like Nyeri and Nyandarua counties.

However, many interior areas, especially in wards like Mukogodo East and Umande, rely on earth roads that become impassable during rainy seasons.

Seasonal rivers such as River Sirimon further complicate mobility, often cutting off villages during floods and exposing residents to risks when crossing.

In recent years, both the county and national governments have however stepped up investments in rural access roads, bridges and culverts under programmes aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity.