Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced plans for a Sh7.5 billion Nithi River Bridge project aimed at addressing a longstanding road safety black spot along the Nairobi–Embu–Meru Highway in Tharaka Nithi County.
Kindiki said the proposed bridge would replace the existing crossing, which was constructed in 1985 and has been associated with numerous fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging into the river below.
Speaking in Nithi, Maara Constituency, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Deputy President said hundreds of lives had been lost at the crossing over the years, with residents repeatedly appealing to the government to construct a longer, higher and safer bridge.
According to Kindiki, the project had taken time to advance because of the complexity of the engineering design and the unexpectedly high cost of construction.
The new bridge is expected to measure 880 metres in length and stand 100 metres high, with 2.7 kilometres of approach roads connecting Marima and Mitheru centres.
Kindiki said the government had secured and ring-fenced funding for the Sh7.5 billion project, which is scheduled to take 24 months to complete. He added that efforts would be made to shorten the construction period without compromising the quality of work or required engineering standards.
The Deputy President said the administration of President William Ruto had committed to replacing the existing bridge after assuming office, following years of safety concerns raised by residents and motorists using the highway.
The proposed infrastructure project is expected to improve road safety along the busy transport corridor linking Nairobi with Embu and Meru, while strengthening connectivity between communities on either side of the river.
The 2.7-kilometre approach roads are also expected to improve access to the new crossing by linking Marima and Mitheru centres.
The project comes amid continued government investment in road infrastructure, with the proposed Nithi Bridge expected to address a decades-long demand for a safer crossing in Tharaka Nithi County.
Although funding has reportedly been secured, the project’s implementation timeline and the completion of construction will determine when motorists and residents can begin using the new facility.