Several people have been injured and more trapped after part of the newly constructed Kangemi Flyover, Waiyaki Way, collapsed on Monday evening.
Newly constructed Kangemi Flyover collapses, several trapped [Photos]
Collapse attributed to loose soil
Recommended articles
The incident which took place just hours after a building collapsed in Nairobi's Kamukunji area is said to have involved at least seven people.
By-standers claimed that there were several people at the scene when the bridge under construction crashed, burying them.
Rescue efforts were underway into the night as well wishers and first responders moved to save the lives of those who were believed to be buried under the rubble.
By 7:00pm reports confirmed that four people had been retrieved and two were undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The incident caused a major traffic snarl-up along the busy Waiyaki Way highway at the peak of the evening rush hour.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the portion which collapsed had been constructed over loose soil.
A number of those trapped are believed to have been road workers who were working below the flyover at the time of the incident.
According to witnesses, one pillar of the bridge gave way causing a wall to collapse.
Nairobi Expressway
The old Kangemi bridge was demolished to allow for the construction of a modern flyover as contractors work on the Nairobi Expressway.
The 27.1 kilometer Expressway will stretch from Mlolongo to JKIA, Nairobi’s CBD and end at Westlands along Waiyaki Way.
Construction works are being executed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at an estimated cost of Sh59 billion.
The contractor has projected up to Sh3.9 billion annual profits from the venture, gained from toll fees which will be levied on road users.
Works on the new bridge were announced in February, following a notice on a diversion that would continue to serve bridge users in the meantime.
"This is to notify you that a diversion has been done on the left-hand side (LHS) of Kangemi Bridge next to Total Petrol Station for a distance of about 100 metres to serve traffic headed towards the Nakuru side.
"In light of these, motorists and pedestrians are advised to observe traffic signages and adhere to traffic marshal directives. The management of James Gichuru junction - Rironi Highway (A104) regrets any inconveniences caused along this project area," the notice read in part.
The bridge was a historical landmark, having held the title as the oldest road to road grade separated junction and overpass in East and Central Africa.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke