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Governor Mbarire urged to use emergency funds to fix bridge

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has been petitioned to authorise the use of monies from the County Emergency Response kitty to repair the Karerema bridge which collapsed under an overloaded lorry transporting sand.

 
Temporary Speaker Philip Nzangi (Makima MCA). He directed the Clerk of County Assembly of Embu to write to relevant offices for speedy repair of Karerema bridge which collapsed under an overloaded lorry transporting sand. MWINGI TIMES/File

Evurore MCA Duncan Mbui invoked Standing Order 33 of the County Assembly of Embu to compel his counterpart Ward Representatives to adjourn debate on normal legislative business and air their views on the issue that was classified as a matter of county importance.

The bridge is located at River Ena connects Evurore, Muminji and Kiambere wards serves thousands of residents and was constructed in 1984. Mbui stated that the alternative Maciara – Mucue bridge which was initiated by the County Government in 2013 has stalled for the last nine years so the region is completely cut off.

Minority Leader Ngari Mbaka noted that the situation was exacerbated by the fact that the month of October marks the onset of the rainy season in the area. The Mavuria MCA feared that children would not be able to attend classes and the locals would not be able to access Ishiara market to conduct various trades.

An appeal was made by Mbeti South Ward Rep Murithi Kiura to State agencies to check on the weight of heavy trucks plying routes to far-flung areas in the Mbeere region, saying they were often overloaded and destroyed roads, rendering them impassable. He observed that the metal bridge was designed to support light trucks but was abused by large transport vehicles.

Muminji MCA Newton Kariuki appealed to Governor Mbarire to work closely with the National Government to ensure the roads serving market centres like Karambari and Ntharawe to Kiritiri town to save the locals from the troubles of having to travel tens of kilometres to access goods and services, lest residents starve for lack of transport.

Nominated MCA Yvonne Mate expressed worry that expectant mothers, sick children, fire engines and relief food transporters would not be able to access nor provide services in the area and termed this as a ticking timebomb for residents in case disaster struck the cut off villages. Mate called for immediate response by the County Government.

Other MCAs who supported the Motion are Majority Leader Peter Murithi (Mbeti North), Paul Muchangi (Gaturi North), Muturi Mwombo (Ruguru-Ngandori), Terry Mbuchi (Kyeni North), Muchangi Mwariama (Kagaari North) and Agnes Gakungugu (Nominated). Temporary Speaker Phillip Nzangi directed the County Assembly Clerk to write to the relevant offices and called for speedy repair of the bridge.

The House unanimously resolved to approve the use of emergency funds to provide a quick fix and reconnect the three wards to the rest of Embu County before reallocating funds in a supplementary budget.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT

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