- In the CBD, potholes have turned streets into obstacle courses, slowing business and eroding civic pride. Against this backdrop of neglect and danger, the county government has now moved to repair trust and restore connectivity with the construction of a new Soimet Bridge and a fresh round of road maintenance.
For years, residents of Nakuru’s Barut and Kapkures wards have lived with the nightmare of broken bridges and cratered roads.
The dilapidated Soimet–Ndarugu wooden bridge, barely three kilometers from town, has been a hazard, washed away by floods, impassable during rains, and a daily risk for school children, farmers, and traders.
In the CBD, potholes have turned streets into obstacle courses, slowing business and eroding civic pride. Against this backdrop of neglect and danger, the county government has now moved to repair trust and restore connectivity with the construction of a new Soimet Bridge and a fresh round of road maintenance.
On March 13, 2026, Governor Susan Kihika announced the official handover of the Soimet Bridge site to the contractor, marking the start of construction.
Once complete, the bridge will provide a vital link between Kaptembwo and the two wards, supporting movement, trade, and access to essential services.
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“The construction of Soimet Bridge connecting Kaptembwo to Barut and Kapkures Wards is now set to begin following the handover of the site to the contractor,” Governor Kihika said in a statement.
Barut MCA Benard Kirui, Chief Officers Kennedy Mungai, Francis Njoroge, Gladys Kamuren, Dr. Michael Cheruiyot, and county engineers witnessed the handover. Residents welcomed the project with optimism, seeing it as a long‑awaited solution to years of hardship.
Governor Kihika also confirmed that the county will roll out additional infrastructure works in the coming weeks, including road maintenance within Nakuru CBD to repair potholes and improve the condition of town roads.
“The county government is preparing to roll out additional infrastructure works in the coming days, including road maintenance in Nakuru CBD to address potholes and improve the condition of our town roads,” she said.
The current wooden bridge has been described as a “hazard” and a “nightmare.” It lacks guardrails, fencing, and signage. When River Ndarugu overflows, the bridge becomes impassable, forcing residents and school children to wade through floodwaters. Near‑drowning incidents have been reported, and many families live in fear whenever the rains begin.
The economic and social toll has been heavy. Farmers and traders struggle to move goods, transport costs rise, and children miss school. Houses near the river flood repeatedly, leaving communities vulnerable.
Weather forecasts for Nakuru County between March 10 and 16, 2026, indicate the onset of the long rains, with isolated heavy showers and thunderstorms expected. For residents of Barut and Kapkures, the timing underscores the urgency of replacing the unsafe bridge and repairing roads before the rains worsen conditions.
The Soimet Bridge project now stands as more than an infrastructure upgrade, it is a test of civic renewal. It promises safer passage, stronger trade, and restored dignity for communities long burdened by neglect.
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