Plans for Nithi Bridge overhaul almost completed

His statement came hours after twelve people were killed in a tragic accident at the scene.

Speaking at the Mikumbune MCK Church in Meru, Gachagua announced that designs for the new bridge were almost ready.

He said he had personally spoken to the Permanent Secretary for Roads, Joseph Mbugua, who had assured him that the design work was almost completed.

“As for the Nithi Bridge, it is true – we promised that. When I went outside, I called PS engineer Mbugua and he informed me that the designs are almost ready,” Gachagua told the community.

“I have asked him to speed up the process so that we can fulfil our promise to the people of Meru.”

During the 2022 election campaign, President Ruto had promised to rehabilitate the bridge, where over 2,000 people died in road accidents.

At that time, Ruto, then Vice President, committed to launching the project within six months of taking office.

The recent accident, which left twelve people dead and many others injured, has once again shown that the government is not keeping its promises and that the population continues to suffer under its burden.

Tharaka Nithi Police Commander Zacheous Ng'eno confirmed that the accident involved a matatu and a pickup truck, with one vehicle heading towards Nairobi and the other heading towards Meru.

So far, 12 bodies have been recovered from the crime scene – ten adults and two children.

Two survivors were taken to nearby hospitals for immediate medical attention.

This incident occurred less than a year after then Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, now responsible for Sports and Youth, announced plans to straighten the road to eliminate the dangerous blind spot that has already claimed numerous lives.

“We could redesign the road so that it goes straight from the bridge towards Meru. The ministry has a plan to monitor our highways with digital cameras,” Murkomen said in 2023.