Migori motorists endure longer journeys months after floods destroyed bridge

All motorists have since March been forced to use a lengthy alternative route to the town centre.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) 'condemned' the bridge after part of it was destroyed by raging river waters in March 2026, after a sustained period of heavy rainfall.

Vehicles travelling from the general direction of Nairobi have had to take the prescribed alternative route to the town, entering the town from the general direction of Sirare border.

It's the same annoying hustle for motorists travelling from the general direction of Sirare; the famous Kenya-Tanzania border, heading towards Nairobi.

Motorist say they have had enough of it, and are now calling for action to be taken expeditiously. 

“It has become very expensive to transport goods from one side of the town to the other. I have to take a taxi to move heavy goods to the other side of the bridge for customers at my own expense,” trader William Otieno told Wananchi Reporting.

Otieno noted that the cost of business has shot up significantly especially where goods have to cross to the other side of the bridge.

Other traders have experienced low influx of customers as many would rather purchase goods on the other side of the bridge – as they look to avoid exorbitant transport costs.

“The town has been divided into two parts. It is now upon us the people to learn how to survive and thrive until the bridge is restored,” Peter Osiango, a resident of Oruba estate told Wananchi Reporting.

Parents with students who attend school on either side of the bridge have had to endure tough times as schools have increased transport fees two-fold to cater for high fuel demand and repairs.

Taxi operators in the town and long-distance drivers pass through the town on their way to Tanzania and beyond want relevant stakeholders to speedily restore the important bridge.

Migori bridge was closed in March 2026, after it was destroyed by raging river waters. Boda boda operators and pedestrians have continued to use the bridge. 

The bridge was an important transport link in the region; supporting movement of goods and services from every part of the country.