Technical University of Kenya student leader on Thursday, December 8, pleaded with President William Ruto to order the construction of a new bridge linking the campus to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The President of the Technical University of Kenya Students Union, Muchoki Kirera argued that the lives of students at the institutions were endangered by the City Square Post Office bridge being brought down.
Many students, he lamented, incurred critical injuries while attempting to cross the busy Haile Selassie Avenue.
"The footbridge across the Haile Selassie Avenue was closed for renovation approximately two years ago, and is yet to be completed," Muchoki noted.
"As a result, we are forced to hope across the road as desert grasshoppers do at times," he added.
City Square Post Office footbridge was mainly used by students of the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and members of the public who crossed to and from the Industrial Area.
Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) ordered the closure of the bridge in 2020 to allow for the construction of a new one.
The footbridge was destroyed by a trailer hauling an excavator during the construction of Haile Selassie Avenue pavements.
NMS had proposed building a temporary steel structure to support the damaged bridge as plans for a new one got underway.
However, NMS's initial plan was delayed after Governor Johnson Sakaja took office.
The students also raised concerns over the growing insecurity around Haile Selassie Avenue, calling on the President to ensure safety.
"In addition, lack of working street lights along Haile Selassie Avenue presents a security threat, especially at night," the student leader confirmed.
While addressing the TUK students, Ruto acknowledged their concerns and ordered an immediate evaluation of the issues.
At the same time, he directed the National Police and Ministry of Land to ensure that land grabbed from the university was returned.
"I charge to ensure that the grabbed land is given back to the rightful owner, that is, Technical University of Kenya," the President ordered.
On Saturday, February 12, a footbridge under construction near the Nyayo National Stadium collapsed, forcing motorists to be diverted to other routes.
The bridge veered off the trajectory and fell on the cranes at the construction site.
