President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and engineers inspect Sigiri bridge, June 15, 2017. [Photo: Courtesy]The government has released a statement, after a section of the Sh1.2 billion Sigiri bridge in Budalangi constituency, Busia County, collapsed, Monday.The bridge collapsed after it was inspected by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto less than two weeks ago.Accompanied by area MP Ababu Namwamba, the two Jubilee leaders were in the region June 15 to inspect the construction of the bridge.Infrastructure Principal Secretary said investigations have been launched to ascertain the cause of the incident.He said the bridge was being constructed by China Overseas Engineering Company (COVEC).Below is the statement."26th.June.2017.The Editor,Preliminary Statement on Sigiri Bridge.Today Morning, the middle span of Sigiri Bridge in Bundalangi constituency in Busia County collapsed. The bridge is still under construction and comprises three spans of 25metres at both ends and a 50 metres middle span.Construction of the 25 metres end spans is complete while the casting of the deck slab for the 50 metre middle span was just being completed over the weekend of 23rd-24th June 2017. The Bridge is being constructed by China Overseas Engineering Co. (COVEC). Meanwhile, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority has despatched a team of top Engineers to site to investigate the cause of the failure of the structure and will release more information as it becomes available.KERRA is also planning a detailed Geotechnical and Structural investigation to establish the cause of the failure.Instructively, construction activities on the site have been suspended until a structural integrity report is ready.The ministry has also contacted the investigative arm of government to look into the matter to rule out any possible foul play.Eng. John Mosonik,The Principal Secretary for Infrastructure."

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