NASA leader waves to supporters in Siaya, June 26, 2017. [Photo: Philip Etale]
Opposition leader Raila Odinga says he was behind the project of the construction of the Sigiri bridge, in Budalangi, Busia county, when he was in power with Mwai Kibaki in the grand coalition government.
This is after a section of the Sh1.2 billion bridge collapsed, after it was inspected by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.Accompanied by area MP Ababu Namwamba, the two Jubilee leaders were in the region June 15 to inspect the construction of the bridge, which is now under the Jubilee government.
Uhuru's administration allocated funds for the construction of the bridge, after taking over from Raila (a prime minister, then) and Kibaki (president).
Raila said the collapsing of the bridge was so unfortunate, since his government wanted to ensure it is 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.
"The last days of a monkey, all the trees are usually slippery. The collapsing of the bridge indicates how Jubilee administration is ending. Everything they touch is a mess. Sorry Jubilee, go home well," Raila mocked Jubilee government.
He was speaking, few hours after the bridge came down, where he indicated Nasa would reconstruct the bridge once it sends Jubilee government home, in the August 8 polls.
Watch Raila speak about the bridge here.