Tragedy struck on Saturday evening when a 19-year-old man drowned after falling off the Dongo Kundu bridge into the Indian Ocean.
The young man, identified as Mwandia Mwatela, was crossing the elevated highway when the fatal accident occurred.
According to police reports, Mwatela was walking across an unused lane of the bridge when he inadvertently stepped into an incomplete section and fell into the ocean below.
The incident happened at approximately 6 p.m., sending shockwaves through the community.
"As he crossed over to the other side, unfortunately, he landed through the incomplete section into the Indian Ocean," the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Vijiweni police station stated in the official report.
The search for Mwatela's body began immediately, with local police and officers from the Coast Guard team combing the waters in a desperate bid to recover his remains.
As of the time of reporting, the search was still ongoing, with family members anxiously awaiting news.
The Dongo Kundu bridge, part of an infrastructure project aimed at easing traffic congestion in Mombasa, has been under construction for several years.
While much of the bridge is operational, certain sections remain incomplete, posing potential hazards to pedestrians and motorists alike.
This tragic accident has raised concerns over the safety measures in place at construction sites, particularly in areas accessible to the public. Mwatela’s family and the local community are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
After nearly five years of anticipation, the Sh40 billion Dongo Kundu bypass has officially opened to the public, marking a significant milestone in the infrastructure development of Mombasa County.
The construction of the bypass, which connects Miritini in the west of Mombasa to Kibundani in Kwale, began in 2018, with major work commencing in March 2020. Initially slated for completion by March 2023, the project experienced a five-month delay due to unforeseen challenges.
Despite the delay, the bypass is now partially open, though the project is only 96% complete. Currently, only one section of the road is accessible to the public, as the contractor works to finalize essential elements such as road signage, lighting, and tarmacking.
Motorists and pedestrians have begun using the completed section of the road, indicating the immediate impact of the bypass on local transportation.
Once fully operational, the Dongo Kundu bypass is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in Mombasa, providing a crucial alternative route for travellers and enhancing connectivity between the counties of Mombasa and Kwale.
