Is Galana Kulalu Bridge Really 90% Complete? Photos Tell Another Story

Claims that the Galana Kulalu Bridge is almost done have stirred up debate online, with fresh doubts surfacing about official government statements that the project has hit 90 per cent completion.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said on Tuesday, Jnauary 27 that the 200-metre bridge connecting Kilifi and Tana River counties was nearly finished, calling it a major win for transport, agriculture, and regional development. He said contractors were wrapping up the bridge deck and confirmed that 120 workers were on site.

But photos making the rounds online, supposedly showing what the Ksh1.493 billion project looks like right now, have people questioning whether that assessment holds up. Judging by what’s visible in the images, many social media users say the bridge looks nowhere near complete – some reckon it’s closer to 40 per cent done, not 90.

The images have set off a flood of reactions on social media, where people are asking whether key parts of the structure are even close to finished. Commenters have pointed to what they see as half-done pillars, incomplete decking, and minimal work on the upper structure, casting serious doubt on the official timelines and progress figures.

Omollo maintained that work on the 200-metre bridge was moving forward steadily and still creating jobs for people living nearby.

When it’s finished, the bridge should make travel between Kilifi and Tana River easier, giving residents, traders, and service providers a safer and quicker route.

The project also sits at the heart of the wider Galana–Kulalu Food Security Project, since it’s meant to link directly with the Malindi–Sala Gate Road. Officials say this connection will smooth out the movement of farm produce and supplies, cutting transport costs and delays for farmers.

“Crossing the Galana River, the bridge is a critical component of the revitalised Galana–Kulalu food security initiative, eliminating long detours previously made via the Baricho Bridge and significantly reducing transport bottlenecks,” Omollo said.

The Interior PS praised the ministry for coordinating the project, keeping the site secure, and helping local communities tap into government services, jobs, and development programs.

President William Ruto launched the Galana–Kulalu Food Security Project on January 4, 2023, aiming to increase food production, create employment, and shore up national food security.

But as photos of the bridge keep spreading and online scrutiny grows sharper, questions linger over whether the Galana Kulalu Bridge really is nearly done or whether official progress reports are painting a rosier picture than what’s actually happening on the ground.

Kipkorir Abel on Facebook cast his doubts, posing: “Is this 90% complete Read Original