Over 30,000 people living in Chepsiro-Kiptoror ward in Cherangani constituency have a reason to smile after the government allocated money for the construction of a bridge that had been impassable for over seven years.

Trans Nzoia Kenya Rural Roads Authority – KERRA manager Engineer Joseph Wanyama confirmed that Kshs 17 million has been released towards the construction of the Chepkaitit bridge that was swept away by raging waters in 2005.

The money came from the 10 per cent road levy program under and the construction works are bound to start any time from now.

“The money for the bridge is ready and therefore, the residents of that area should be assured that at long last the bridge shall be back in place and communication and transport is bound to be normal,” said Wanyama in his office.

Wanyama noted that the area had been affected greatly in terms of communication as they are forced to go round distant places such as Kapcherop in Marakwet West District and Tuigoin to connect to the other side of the ward hence affected economically.

The bridge links Chepsiro in Milimani ADC settlement scheme and Top Suwerwa among other places in the region.

At the same time the manager warned people especially farmers who are contributing immensely in destruction of roads in the county by blocking drainage systems that lead water to sweep of the roads saying that if caught  will have stern legal action taken against them.

He further cautioned contractors in the region who do not complete their works on time and fully that they risk being blacklisted and may not get contracts in future.

However, the ministry is working on other roads within the county after the works were temporarily halted following the heavy rains that pound the area in the recent past.

Among the other projects to be done include the Mitume-Tuwani bridge that has also been impassable for over eight years and has been on record to have claimed a couple of lives who try to cross through the steep incomplete bridge.