A governor got more than he bargained for while commissioning a bridge and he fell into the river while trying to take a selfie at the bridge.
The event took place in Ogembo, a small town in Kenya and the Governor, Alfred Mutua, along with other dignitaries were taking a tour of the footbridge when the bridge, unable to take their combined weight, collapsed and they were all plunged into the river.
Mutua, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and their entourage, which included journalists, were all given a baptism after the bridge gave way while they were standing on the recently constructed Ogembo Nyakorokoro footbridge in Ogembo area of the county.
The governor and his deputy had to be rushed to the hospital after being rescued from the river. The governor denied taking a selfie. “I have been baptised by River Gucha and now I must build a house in Gucha,” he said
“The bridge caved in after a crowd of those who accompanied us joined us,” he added also saying that he was safe and was having lunch at the deputy Governor’s house.
“The Governor and DG were unhurt in the incident and they went on to address residents before going for lunch,” said the Kisii Communication Director, Maseme Machuka.
The Ogembo post office-Nyakorokoro footbridge was constructed by the Ministry of Public Works as part of the Economic Stimulus Project under the Constituency Development Fund.