Having hosted both the President and Deputy president in Busia, once a fierce critic turned ally Budalangi MP Ababu Namabwa must be hard pressed to explain his change of heart to the electorate. Mandeleo has been the rallying call in explaining his change of heart. In particular, the work at Sigiri – the budalangi bridge – has been offered as evidence of maendeleo.
Offering Jubilee a landing ground in what is considered to be Cord territory is no easy task. But if social media reports from Busia County News are to be believed, then some respite
Construction of Sigiri bridge in Budalangi on River Nzoia is 80% complete.The construction which started in 2016 will cost the national up to one billion shillings. The bridge will open up Bunyala south which has remained undeveloped for mamy years due to lack of a link with the north. Many people have also lost their life while crossing the perilous river using boats. President Uhuru Kenyatta toured the area on 7th September 2014 to console families of nine people who perished after their boat capsized while crossing the river a week earlier.
Editor’s Note
Story update as at 20th of Novemeber 2017. Sigiri bridge was indeed completed and even set for unveiling by the president. But then the unexpected happened as it nose dived into river Nzoia. In the general elections of 8th August 2017, Ababu Namwamba lost his parliamentary seat to former Budalangi Raphael Wanjala of ODM, a NASA affiliate party. Nontheless, to date, Hon. Ababu remains a staunch supporter of the president.
