Migori footbridge 'gathering dust', as residents prefer crossing dangerous road on foot

Residents of Migori town have reportedly not been utilising a footbridge that was recently erected along the dangerous Migori–Isebania highway.

Motorists are increasingly getting concerned at the number of people who often choose to cross the road at undesignated points, thereby risking life and limb.

The footbridge, a first in the town, was recently erected to help reduce cases of accidents on the highway.

The major road had become a constant danger to primary school children, traders and other residents who used it regularly.

This prompted the construction of the footbridge, just a few metres from Migori Primary school and Migori Teachers College.

“It is very unfortunate that pedestrians are deciding to risk their lives on the road when they can cross safely through the footbridge,” said Silas Owino, a resident of Migori.

According to Owino, many people are often in a hurry to get to their destinations – and feel that climbing the footbridge is too much hard work.

Boda-boda riders operating near the area say that people, mostly the elderly, prefer to cross the road citing back problems and old age.

“Some of the elderly people find it difficult to climb up and down the footbridge,” says Owino.

"There is need to have traffic marshals on major crossing points who can help the elderly and the sick to cross the busy road just in case they are unable to climb the steep stairs," adds Owino.

Meanwhile, residents have been asked to embrace the footbridge.

This comes at a time when Migori town has been in the news after two lorries – in separate incidences in April and May 2023 – lost control before ramming into traders and pedestrians on the side of the busy road.