kisii.river

The bridge at River Gucha collapsed on Friday morning as Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and Kisii DG Joash Maangi stood on it.

Some reports indicated that it caved in as they took selfies while others said the Governor had bent to check the depth when the incident took place.

They were with several people who accompanied them to a inspection of road projects in Ogembo town.

Mutua and Maangi were pulled out and rushed to Ogembo Hospital in Kisii County in an ambulance.

The Governor dismissed the report about selfies.

"I have been baptised by River Gucha and now I must build a house in Gucha," he said, as reported by Radio Citizen.

When called by the Star, he said he was safe and that he was having lunch at Maangi's home.

"The bridge caved in after a crowd of those who accompanied us joined us," he said.

Kisii Communication director Maseme Machuka said the bridge was weak.  The Ogembo post office-Nyakorokoro footbridge was constructed by the Ministry of Public Works as part of the Economic Stimulus Project under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

"The Governor and DG were unhurt in the incident and they went on to address residents before going for lunch," he said.

He added that two journalists were taken to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital with minor injuries.

-Patrick Vidija

View Comments