Tragedy in Waiting: Learners Risk Lives Crossing Swollen River Using Slippery Log in Bomet

In the heart of Bomet County, a crisis quietly unfolds each day. With no proper bridge in place, schoolchildren in Nyangores, Chepalungu Constituency, are risking their lives crossing the swollen Chepkulo River using a dangerously slippery log. What was once a temporary fix in 1989 is now a tragedy in waiting.

Daily Risk for Learners

Residents are calling on the county government to urgently intervene. The makeshift bridge—nothing more than a decaying, moss-covered log—is the only path for hundreds of learners headed to school each day. During the rainy season, the Chepkulo River swells, turning the crossing into a deadly gamble.

Allan Kiprotich, a student at Kaplele Comprehensive School, uses the log daily. His desire to learn comes with a constant fear of falling into the raging river below.

“Daraja imetusumbua sana juu tukikuja shuleni inabidi kwanza tukae hadi ikue mapema, so tunachelewa kwa shule,” Allan shared.

A Bridge Long Forgotten

The bridge was installed as a temporary structure in 1989 through local contributions. Decades later, it remains the only crossing available. The community says repeated calls for help have been ignored.

“Tumejenga na wazee wa zamani, contribution ya wazee, wengine wameleta miti, misumari kutoka siku hiyo hadi saa hii, hakuna usaidizi wa serikali,” said a concerned elder.

“Daraja ilivunjika mwezi wa nne, watoto wetu sasa hawaendi shule,” added a parent, Stella Kirui.

A Community in Distress

Teachers are also feeling the weight of the situation. According to Kaplele School deputy headteacher David Korir:

“The destruction of the bridge—some learners are going for a long distance, some are going through Bomet, which is about 20 km away.”

The result? Fatigued, late, and distracted students—many of whom are missing school altogether.

A Cry for Help

Each day, parents walk their children to school, watching with anxiety as they balance on the slick log. But this fragile solution cannot continue. One slip could mean tragedy.

“Tunaomba serikali itusaidie haki, atusaidie kabisa,” the residents pleaded.

The people of Nyangores are not asking for luxury—just safety. A proper bridge is not just infrastructure; it is a lifeline to education, security, and dignity. The time for action is now—before this tragedy in waiting becomes a tragedy realized.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa