Residents of Migori town are happy following the erection of a footbridge across the dangerous Migori–Isebania highway.

According to the residents, the road had become a constant danger to primary school children, traders and other residents who used it regularly.

Students from the nearby Migori Primary school and Migori Teachers Training college can now cross the road without any fear of being knocked down.

“There used to be cases of students being run over while crossing the busy road, but not anymore, especially now that we have this footbridge,” said Ali Agombi who resides in Migori.

Residents said that the explosion of bodaboda riders in the town only added to the traffic and chaos, making crossing the road an uphill task.

The design of the footbridge is such that it does not allow motorcycle riders to cross through it.

“As you can see, the footbridge has a raft of stairs on either sides which makes it impossible for bodaboda riders to use it,” said William Goroba, a resident of the town.

“I feel it would be pointless to have the footbridge if bodaboda riders were to use it,” he adds.

According to Mr. Joel Oguda, a teacher in Migori, the footbridge could not have come at a better time. 

"Students, especially the young ones, had difficulties crossing the road. I am happy we have a footbridge now," said Mr. Oguda.  

Meanwhile, bodaboda riders who park at the base of the footbridge say business has increased threefold.

“Initially we would spend time shuttling across the town looking for customers, but now we can park at this spot and wait for pedestrians who are crossing,” said a bodaboda rider.

There are, however, some pedestrians who still continue to cross the dangerous road despite there being a footbridge.

“There are people who feel it is too cumbersome, especially the elderly. That is why they cross the road, even though it is very dangerous,” said Agombi.  

Some of the motorists in the town say the footbridge allows pedestrians to cross safely without slowing traffic on the busy highway.