Lack of a bridge to connect villages at the border of Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties has been blamed on incidents of drowning along Sagana River.
In the past 30 years, residents of Thangathi and Gikuu in Murang’a have used a canoe to cross to Kirinyaga side, despite the threat of drowning in the crocodile infested river.
It is estimated that 100 people have perished in the crocodile infested river when crossing to both sides.
Stephen Weru Njega 45, a Deputy Principal at Karema ini secondary school are the latest victims drowned with his sons Collins Njega Weru 17, and Elvis Maina 12, barely a kilometre to their farm on Tuesday.
Njega was controlling the canoe before it capsized mid stream, when he was heading to his banana farm at the edge of the river.
The residents blamed the misfortune on the lack of a bridge. Three years ago, a makeshift bridge in the Gikuu area was swept away by raging floods following heavy rain.
They were crossing from Riandira village Kirinyaga to Thangathi village in Murang’a for their farm.
The 17 year old is a form three student at Kianyaga Boys High School, while Maina is a standard six pupil at Technology Primary School in Murang’a town.
They were from Kandundu estate in Murang’a town and prefer to use the longer route Sagana- Kenol route to avoid poor roads that connect the villages in the lower Kiharu through Kabuta market.
In three months the locals say seven lives have perished in the river.
Diving experts from nearby hotels joined by the community tried their best to rescue the three in vain, after they were alerted of the incident by those neighbouring the river.
The incident is barely a month after an expectant woman drowned in the same area after a canoe she had others were using capsized when heading to Makutano market.
A resident in the area, Peter Kamau said the teacher drives from Murang’a through Sagana to access the canoe used by the community to cross the river.
In the previous incident, Kamau said the woman perished as others including a man who was controlling the canoe survived.
“The teacher parked his car at the bank of the river in Kirinyaga county side, before he rode on the canoe with his sons and met the misfortune,” said Kamau as he mourned the death of the family.
Njambi Mwaura said the authorities have hoodwinked the residents that a bridge will be constructed to connect the two counties, to end their suffering.
The roads to the village through Kabuta and Sagana bridge, she said, are in a pathetic state forcing those with vehicles to take the longer route through Rukanga along the Nyeri Nairobi highway.
“The construction of a bridge has been used as a campaign platform in these land locked villages, where use of the risky canoe remains the option despite the threats,” she said.
A sand transporter John Kiama Mwai said it was a pity that the teacher leaves behind his wife and a four year old daughter, due to ignorance of our leaders.
“All the MPs who have served in Kiharu including the late Kenneth Matiba are aware of the problem but no assistance has been provided despite numerous promises,” said Mr Kiama.
They expect Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro will lobby to have the bridge constructed to end their miseries.
Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) Manager Joseph Wanjohi said a heavy investment was required to construct a bridge across the wide river.
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