The collapsed Sh1.2 billion Sigiri bridge in Budalangi, Busia county, June 26, 2017. [Photo: nation.co.ke]

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Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba, has rebuked Opposition leader Raila Odinga, following the collapsing of the Sh1.2 billion Sigiri bridge in his constituency.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee administration was behind the construction of the Sigiri bridge.

Ababu was in Odinga's camp, before decamping to the Labour Party, which supports, Kenyatta's re-election bid.

According to Namwamba, Raila was happy after the  bridge collapsed, so that he can use it for his political mileage.

Earlier, when the bridge collapsed Monday morning, Odinga said the collapsing of the bridge was so unfortunate, since his government (grand coalition) wanted to ensure it was fully constructed, to benefit both the people of Busia, and the neigbouring Kisumu counties.

Speaking in Siaya town, the Nasa presidential candidate indicated he had planned for the construction of a road from Mayoni - Bumala - Funyula - Budalangi - Port Victoria and that the map was ready. The road would then proceed to Mau Mau, Sidoho, then a bridge be constructed to Usihu, for residents to cross to and from Bondo, Usenge and Kisumu areas.He slammed the president for taking over the project, with 'cooked' construction funds, saying his corrupt deals led him to a contractor who ended up ding shoddy works, in the name of constructing the Sigiri bridge.

However, Namwamba said Raila was using politicising the matter, at the expense of Kenyans' lives.'

"If you think you are going to come here, to play cheap politics with Sigiri bridge, shame on you, and you'll not achieve anything. I particularly want to rebuke Raila Odinga. I listened to the sentiments of Raila Odinga in regards to the accident, and Raila Odinga sounded like he was dancing on the graves of all our people that have lost their lives at this point and whose memory we are erecting this bridge. Mr Odinga shame on you!" Namwamba said.

Addressing the press at the scene of the accident, Monday evening, he noted that any politician could play politics, but should never do the same with lives of the people.

He further said he had contacted the president, his deputy, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (PS John Mosonik), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) and the Treasury CS Henry Rotich, who assured him that the construction of the bridge would continue.

"They have assured me that sooner rather than later, we shall proudly walk across this bridge," noted Namwamba.