By Shaban Omar
For decades, the old Marere Bridge stood like a silent guardian between Kwale and Kinango, faithfully carrying thousands of travellers, traders, schoolchildren and farmers across the river.
It weathered raging floods, scorching sunshine and powerful winds, asking for nothing in return but the chance to keep serving the people who depended on it.
Year after year, it bore the weight of buses, lorries, motorcycles and pedestrians. It connected families, sustained businesses and kept the local economy alive.
The bridge links Kwale with Mombasa via Kinango-Samburu road opening up the area’s economy.
In its final days, the bridge’s ageing body told a story of exhaustion. Deep cracks spread across its surface and its worn structure cried out for attention.
Yet it never turned its back on the people. It continued to carry them safely, refusing to surrender despite the scars of time.
Then, on Sunday night, the inevitable happened. The ageing Marere Bridge finally gave way and people’s daily life came to a standstill.
Motorists, traders and commuters now face long delays and uncertainty, with many forced to use a narrow makeshift diversion suitable only for small vehicles.
A driver, Samy Nato, who uses the crossing every day, said the disruption has slowed the movement of people and goods, affecting businesses, farming activities and access to essential services.
“The bridge caved in and now we are forced to use this narrow diversion, which is only suitable for small cars. Lorries and canters cannot pass, making it difficult to transport goods,” he said.
Nato urged the government to fast-track the completion of the Kwale-Kinango Road, saying the project would provide a lasting solution to the transport challenges facing residents.
Construction of the road, which includes a new modern bridge over the Marere River, is currently underway.
However, residents said the project has taken too long to complete, leaving communities vulnerable whenever the ageing bridge failed or heavy rains disrupted access.
A Resident Juma Chiro said the collapse of the Marere Bridge had left the community stranded, making it imperative for the authorities to fast-track construction of the new bridge and road.
According to Chiro, the temporary diversion is unsafe, with several motorcycle riders reportedly falling into the river while attempting to cross.
“The bridge we relied on has collapsed. We urge the government to speed up construction, as the unsafe diversion has caused even boda boda riders to fall into the river,” he said.
He urged authorities to fast-track the project, warning that delays would endanger commuters and disrupt trade and farming.
Another resident, Hamisi Kombo, said the bridge collapse had raised safety concerns and dealt a fresh blow to businesses that rely on the crossing.
Kombo said the makeshift diversion is unreliable and unsafe, leaving residents uncertain every time they travel.
“We are worried about our safety and our businesses because the temporary route is not dependable when it rains, the river water will overflow,” he said.
He said poor roads had already hurt the local economy, and the bridge collapse had further disrupted the movement of people and goods.
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