Kenyan musician and entrepreneur Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, has appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and fast-track the reconstruction of the collapsed Migori Bridge, saying residents have endured months of disruption and hardship.
In an open letter addressed to the President, Akothee expressed concern over the impact of the damaged bridge on residents, particularly schoolchildren, traders, patients and travellers who depend on the route for their daily activities.
She said the disruption had affected businesses, livelihoods and access to essential services, while alternative routes had created additional challenges for commuters.
Kenyan musician and entrepreneur Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee
Akothee, who identified herself as a concerned resident of Migori County, recounted an early morning journey to Nairobi with her ailing father for medical attention. She said she had to leave at 4am to avoid traffic congestion caused by the diversion.
The experience, she said, made her reflect on the thousands of residents who face similar difficulties daily, many of whom cannot afford alternative means of transport.
She also raised security concerns along the diversion routes, alleging that pedestrians had been subjected to mugging incidents. She further expressed concern about the safety of schoolchildren as another school term approaches.
In her appeal, Akothee urged President Ruto to direct the relevant government agencies, particularly the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), to establish the progress made and accelerate efforts to restore the bridge.
She acknowledged ongoing government development projects in the region, including the Uriri–Thim Lich Road, but maintained that the situation surrounding the Migori Bridge required urgent attention.
A screenshot showing Akothee's open letter to the President
"A bridge is not merely a structure connecting two roads. It connects children to schools, patients to hospitals, traders to markets and families to their livelihoods," she wrote.
Akothee's letter sparks online debate
The letter, which was shared alongside a poster bearing President Ruto's image, has triggered mixed reactions across social media platforms.
A photo showing state of the damaged Migori Bridge
Some social media users have questioned which level of government or public agency should take responsibility for reconstructing the damaged bridge, with the debate extending to the roles of national and county authorities.
Others have questioned the decision to use the President's image on the poster instead of a photograph of the damaged Migori Bridge, arguing that the infrastructure itself should have been the central visual focus of the appeal.
However, some users have praised Akothee for speaking out on an issue affecting ordinary residents, describing her intervention as an example of using her public platform to amplify the concerns of communities.
The reactions have placed renewed attention on the condition of the bridge and the challenges residents say they continue to face.
