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{
    "id": 1477169,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1477169/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 239,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Ndia, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Kariuki",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On Wednesday, 31st July 2024, the Member for Ruiru Constituency, Hon. Simon King’ara, requested for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure regarding the collapsed Membley Bridge in Ruiru Constituency. Hon. King’ara in the Statement, indicated that the bridge serves as a critical link between the Eastern Bypass and the Thika Superhighway functioning as people's route connecting the residences of Biashara, Gatong’ora and Gitothia wards in Ruiru Constituency. Hon. King’ara, therefore sought to, among other things, establish: 1. The specific measures being put in place by the Government to reconstruct the Membley Bridge, including a detailed timeline of completion. 2. Measures put in place to have the temporary crossing solutions, particularly to facilitate students' access to schools in the area. 3. The reasons for the inordinate delay in the rebuilding of the bridge and the steps being taken to expedite reconstruction to avert further suffering. Hon. Speaker, the Committee received a written response from the Ministry of Roads and Transport on 18th September 2024, which I now wish to make. One, regarding the specific measures being put in place by the Government to reconstruct Membley Bridge, including a detailed timeline of completion, the Ministry submitted that through the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), it has made a request for funding towards the reconstruction of a bridge at the affected road section along the JN A2 Membley to Northern Bypass, JN C559 Tatu City roads project. This is following a technical assessment that found the existing structure inadequate to withstand the recurrence of a similar incident. It was established that there is a need to install a 20-metre span bridge to offer a long- term solution to this matter. Two, the bridge is estimated to cost Ksh94 million and is beyond the scope of the existing contract or any possible variation to the same. Three, regarding the measures put in place to have temporary crossing solutions, particularly to facilitate students' access to schools in the area, the Ministry submitted that they are aware that the closure and cordoning off of the affected road section, which was done in the interest of public safety, has inconvenienced residents and is sympathetic to their plight. Four, it is, however, noteworthy that there is no corridor available for a diversion in the immediate location, and therefore advises residents to use alternative routes, namely the Northern Bypass and the Nairobi-Thika Superhighway, as efforts are made to source funds for the construction of a bridge, as earlier mentioned. Five, regarding the reasons for the inordinate delay in the rebuilding of the bridge and the steps being taken to expedite the construction to avoid further sufferings, the Ministry submitted that the delay in the construction of the bridge has been occasioned by the unavailability of funds for the same. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}