Kindiki unveils Sh7billion plan for new Nithi bridge

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that construction of a new 880-metre Nithi Bridge will begin in the coming weeks, in what the government says is a decisive effort to end decades of fatal accidents along one of eastern Kenya’s most notorious black spots.

Speaking on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Mikinduri-Kunati-Gatithini Road in Tigania East, Meru County, Kindiki said the government has already secured Sh7billion for the project. The new bridge will link the Marima and Mitheru sections along the main road connecting Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties.

“We needed Sh7billion for the bridge and we now have the funds. The contractor will be here soon. The public was engaged for their input on Monday and I will be bringing the contractor to start construction soon,” the DP said.

He described the planned 880-metre structure as one of the longest in the region, featuring modern architectural designs aimed at enhancing safety for motorists navigating the steep and winding Nithi River valley.

A history of tragedy

The Nithi Bridge area has, for decades, been synonymous with grisly road crashes.

During the era of former president, the late Daniel arap Moi, the narrow bridge and sharp descent into the Nithi valley recorded multiple fatal accidents involving buses, lorries and private vehicles. Poor road design, brake failures on the steep slope and limited guardrails were frequently cited as contributing factors.

Under the late President Mwai Kibaki, infrastructure improvements were rolled out across the country, including upgrades to sections of the Meru–Embu highway. However, despite periodic repairs and installation of warning signage near Nithi, accidents persisted, with several high-profile bus crashes claiming dozens of lives.

During retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, the government undertook further road expansion projects in the Mount Kenya East region. Safety enhancements were introduced along parts of the corridor, but the Nithi stretch continued to witness deadly incidents, including crashes involving public service vehicles and miraa transporters navigating the sharp bends.

Even under President William Ruto’s administration, the black spot has remained a source of concern, with fresh accidents renewing public outcry and calls for a permanent engineering solution rather than piecemeal repairs.

It is this long history of recurring tragedy that the government now says it intends to decisively address through the construction of a completely new bridge.

Broader infrastructure push

Beyond Nithi, Kindiki said expansion of the Makutano–Embu–Chuka–Meru–Maua Highway into a dual carriageway is underway and is expected to begin before the end of the year.

“We are going to ensure this road is a dual carriageway and the construction is set to begin this year,” he said.

The Deputy President added that the government is keen on operationalising the proposed National Infrastructure Fund to support construction of more roads and other projects nationwide.

According to Kindiki, the government has allocated funds for completion of over 6,000 kilometres of roads across the country, including more than 350 kilometres in Meru County alone.

“We now have adequate funds. We have paid all the contractors Sh177 billion and they are back to complete the projects. By next Christmas, we will have completed all the 6,000 kilometres of roads that had stalled for many years. On top of these roads, we have more money for new roads,” he declared.

He also reassured residents that the long-stalled Mikinduri-Kunati-Gatithini Road is back on track, alongside nine other revived projects in Meru County.

Kindiki dismissed claims by political opponents that the government has neglected the region, arguing that multiple development projects are progressing.

On miraa exports, the DP said the government has finalised plans to leverage the reopening of the Kenya–Somalia border to ease transportation of the crop.

“We will provide security for the miraa exportation through the Mandera, Liboi and Kiunga border points,” he said.

For residents and frequent users of the Nithi corridor, however, the focus remains on whether the long-promised new bridge will finally tame a stretch of road that has claimed lives across four presidential administrations.