Several children from Kibukure village in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, were unable to return to school as mandated by the government due to the collapse of a bridge at Kiwe River. Learners from Kangai Primary School faced challenges in accessing the institution, prompting parents to seek alternative measures to ensure their children’s education.
Judy Nyambura, a parent, highlighted the efforts made by the school headteacher, who provided two large trees to facilitate crossing the river and enable children to attend school. However, the precarious situation has raised concerns among villagers, with Kibukure village elder Jinaro Kariuki emphasizing the urgent need for intervention from local leaders and authorities.
Despite their appeals, the villagers lamented the lack of action from the county government of Kirinyaga and the disaster management team, putting their lives at risk as they navigate dangerous river crossings and endure lengthy detours to reach their destinations. The perilous journey to school has already resulted in accidents, with one parent narrowly escaping injury after falling while carrying a child to school.
As the safety and education of Kibukure village children hang in the balance, residents are urging immediate intervention to repair the bridge and restore safe passage. The collapse of the bridge underscores the critical need for infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness measures to safeguard the well-being of communities and ensure uninterrupted access to education.
