Baringo: Locals move in to repair dilapidated Kaperes-Kapkoin road

The Kaperes-Kapkoin road, a once vital route connecting remote villages, has for decades been left in a state of disrepair.

"This road speaks of forgotten promises. The bridge has been abandoned so we have to find a way to move around," a local told Citizen Digital.

For years, the road has remained impassable. The heavy rains that pound the area every year exacerbate its sorry condition, turning it into a mudslide that becomes impossible for any vehicle to navigate.

This has forced locals to step in. "With no external help in sight and government aid seemingly nonexistent, the villagers have been left to fend for themselves," a village elder added.

The Kaperes-Kapkoin road is an important route in the area as it connects locals to the nearest markets, hospitals, schools, and other essential services. "This road has not seen a single repair since the country gained its independence over 60 years ago," they added.

The villagers, many of whom have lived here all their lives, remember a time when things were better.

The once-robust wooden bridge, which now hangs precariously over the river, served as a vital crossing. But with the passage of time, the bridge began to decay.

"It is during the rainy season that the road’s true challenges emerge. Torrential rains pour over the hills, causing the small river to swell and flood the nearby areas."

Every year, as the rains come, residents brace themselves for the inevitable challenges ahead.