For years, crossing the flooded section at Dhogoye in Usenge, Siaya County, has been a gamble for hundreds of families.

When Lake Victoria’s waters rose, parents worried about getting children to school, patients struggled to reach health facilities, and traders watched their businesses grind to a halt.

Now, as construction of the long-awaited Dhogoye Bridge gathers pace, residents are beginning to imagine a future where those disruptions become a thing of the past.

Speaking during an inspection of the project on Friday, June 26, 2026, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the bridge is expected to restore a crucial transport link between Siaya and Busia counties, improving access to markets, schools, healthcare and other essential services.

Omollo said the project is part of ongoing investments in transport infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity and supporting economic activities in different parts of the country.

“The Dhogoye Bridge is a strategic investment that will restore a vital link between Siaya and Busia counties, making it easier for residents to access markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services throughout the year,” Omollo said.

Need for reliable road networks

He noted that reliable road networks are essential for linking communities to opportunities and public services.

He noted that communities along the Bondo–Usenge–Osieko corridor have for years endured repeated interruptions whenever Lake Victoria’s water levels rose, leaving many residents stranded and disrupting access to schools, hospitals and markets.

The Principal Secretary noted that although construction began in 2021, the project experienced a prolonged delay before works resumed about four months ago.

Since then, he said, construction has progressed steadily following efforts to address the challenges that had stalled implementation.

According to Omollo, once completed, the bridge will provide an all-weather crossing that will make it easier for residents to move between Siaya and Busia counties while facilitating trade and strengthening social and economic ties among communities in the region.

He added that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has worked with government agencies, local leaders and residents to resolve operational challenges, creating an environment that has enabled construction to continue without further interruptions.

For Lucy Ajwang, a mother from Usenge, the bridge represents far more than concrete and steel.

“Whenever the water rose, we worried about how our children would get to school or how we would reach the hospital in an emergency. Sometimes we had to wait for the waters to go down or take much longer routes. We just want a safe crossing that we can rely on throughout the year,” she said.

Another resident and parent, Peter Ochieng, said unreliable access has affected family incomes and children’s education.

“There were days when business came to a standstill because transport was interrupted. Our children sometimes missed school, and traders lost customers. A permanent bridge will save us time, reduce transport costs and make life easier for our families,” he said.