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Kenya

Nakuru highway opens after hitch over footbridge

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Ministry of Public Works officials were forced to demolish a footbridge in Nakuru on Thursday morning after it was damaged by a truck that was transporting an earth mover to Western Kenya.

The footbridge located on the main highway to Nairobi from Nakuru town is one of the busiest in the town and is used by thousands of people daily.

"The impact caused a major crack on the footbridge which is used by thousands of pedestrians in Nakuru town," an engineer from the Ministry of Public Works said.

"It was swaying whenever people climbed it and shook when trucks passed under it and that is why we declared it unsafe," he added.

On Thursday morning, officials from the Ministry of Roads and Public Works and personnel from the construction company whose truck is said to have damaged the footbridge decided to bring it down for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Pedestrians were barred from using the footbridge and vehicles diverted until at about midday when the road was re-opened for use.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett said the "accident was caused by an act of carelessness because it is clear that any cargo passing through Kenyan roads should not exceed 4.2 metre high."

He said the destruction of the bridge was inconveniencing to pedestrians and motorist who have to use longer routes.

Mr Bett said his ministry was making arrangement for the police to assist people cross the busy highway before the foot bridge is re-constructed.

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He said procurement and reconstruction of the vital facility might take up to six months to complete.

Mr Bett added that the company which is responsible for the damage will bear the cost of the reconstruction.

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