Agony of Barut residents over bridge that has become the shame of Kaptembwa
The bridge connecting Barut and Kaptwembwa.
Arriving at the bridge that connects Barut and Kaptembwa, I see faces filled with hopelessness and sadness.
We are all standing at one end of the Ndarugo River, wondering how we are going to cross the flooded and poorly constructed bridge safely.
Crossing the bridge is an arduous task, with each step carefully calculated to avoid falling into the water.
A car being guided across the bridge.
I tried to cross it myself to get to the other end to take some photos.
But remembering that I can't swim and thinking about all the things that could go wrong, I stopped halfway and decided to go back the way I came.
According to Peter Koskei, a local resident, the bridge has been in the same condition since the early 1980s, and its poor condition has caused near-death experiences for locals trying to cross the flooded bridge.
Peter Koskei during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
"This bridge is vital as it connects the Barut with the Kaptembwa. The leaders have been using it as a campaign tool since the 80s. Most of them promised to build a decent bridge when they were elected, but this has never happened, we are still waiting but the people continue to suffer," Mr Koskei says.
"Mimi huwa natembea kati kati ya maji ndio niweze kupita na viatu zangu zinashika maji, lakini sasa sina namna ingine juu lazima nipite nikienda kazi," he says.
Nicholas Tanui, on the other hand, recalls a time when he was driving his car and it got stuck on the bridge and he had to come back to get it the next day.
Nicholas Tanui during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
"This bridge connects Mau and Nakuru town, so many businessmen who transport goods would prefer to use it as it is a shortcut. Over time, the situation has deteriorated to the point where we had to build a temporary bridge in another part to allow people to cross easily," Mr Tanui says.
Joyce Nduta's main concern is for the children and women who are forced to cross the bridge every day.
"During the rainy season, the bridge overflows and we cannot even cross it. Sometimes we have to pay some of the young men here to carry us on their backs. It is still a risky business because they might slip and fall into the strong currents of the river," says Ms Nduta.
There are schools on either side of the bridge, and the bridge is the only way for children to access their respective educational institutions.
"We have Kenyatta High School, Kaptembwa Primary and Heshima Primary and most of those who go to these schools come from this area and since this is the shortest route to their school, they have to use this bridge to cross," she says.
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Felix Koech tells Mtaa Wangu how he starts his day as early as 5am to help ferry some of the school children who need to cross.
"Nyinyi ata mmepata kama hakuna maji, maji hujaa hapa na juu watoi kwanza asubuhi lazima waende shule inabidii tumewabeba kuwavukisha," Mr Koech says.
A resident maneuvering their way across the bridge.
"A while ago I rescued a boy who was almost swept away by the strong current and that was just one of the many incidents we have had here. Cars also get stuck and it takes the help of me and my friends to get them across the bridge," he says.
The hope for all those living in the area is that their leaders will act and improve the bridge.