Construction of the long-awaited KSh7.5 billion Nithi Bridge has begun, marking a major step towards addressing one of Kenya’s most notorious road accident black spots.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced the start of construction on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Maara Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County.
The project will replace the existing bridge along the Nairobi-Embu-Meru Highway, where fatal accidents have claimed hundreds of lives over the past four decades.
The new bridge is expected to improve road safety and ease the movement of passengers and goods along the busy highway connecting the Mount Kenya region to the rest of the country.
Kindiki said the government had secured the funds needed for the project, which is expected to take 24 months to complete.
He directed the contractor to speed up the work while maintaining the required engineering and safety standards.
“We have suffered enough misfortune here, and we do not want any more problems,” Kindiki said during the commencement of construction works.
The new bridge will span 880 metres and rise approximately 100 metres above the Nithi River valley.
The project also includes the realignment of a 2.7-kilometre road section connecting Marima and Mitheru shopping centres.
The redesigned stretch is intended to eliminate the sharp bends and steep approaches that have made the existing crossing dangerous for motorists.
The bridge will form part of the main highway linking Nairobi, Embu and Meru, a vital route for travellers, traders and farmers transporting goods across the region.
According to Kindiki, the government initially considered a cheaper design estimated at between KSh1.7 billion and KSh1.8 billion. However, engineers proposed a more ambitious structure to address the safety challenges posed by the terrain.
The government has since committed KSh7.5 billion to the project.
President William Ruto had pledged to reconstruct the bridge, which has remained a major road safety concern since the original structure was built in 1985.
Successive administrations faced calls to replace it following repeated fatal crashes involving buses, lorries and private vehicles.
In July 2022, a bus plunged into the Nithi River valley, killing 33 people in one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent years.
The tragedy renewed calls for a permanent solution to the dangerous crossing.
Kindiki acknowledged that residents had petitioned successive governments for decades to construct a safer bridge but the project had remained unfulfilled.
He said the Ruto administration had prioritised clearing outstanding payments owed to road contractors before moving ahead with major infrastructure projects.
According to the Deputy President, the government has cleared KSh177 billion in contractor arrears, enabling stalled road projects to resume.
The government expects the new bridge to be completed within 24 months, although Kindiki has challenged the contractor to shorten the construction period without compromising quality.
He warned that contractors who fail to meet implementation targets could be replaced.
The commencement of construction brings relief to residents and motorists who have long called for a safer crossing.
Once completed, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity between the Mount Kenya region and other parts of the country while reducing the risks associated with the existing road section.
However, the government will face pressure to deliver the project within the promised timeline and ensure that the new design provides lasting protection for road users.