The reconstruction of the infamous Nithi Bridge had hit a financial roadblock, with President William Ruto revealing that the project faces costly alternatives.
Speaking to Mt Kenya media, Ruto stated that the government has been presented with two options: reconstructing the bridge at a staggering cost of Ksh 50 billion or improving an alternative route to enhance safety.
The Nithi Bridge, located on the Meru-Embu highway, has long been a blackspot, claiming countless lives due to its treacherous curves and steep gradient.
Constructed in 1983, the 50-metre-long bridge has witnessed multiple tragic accidents, including a 2022 crash involving a Mombasa-bound bus that left 36 people dead. In 2000, another horrific accident at the bridge claimed 45 lives, cementing its reputation as one of Kenya’s deadliest roads.
The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has outlined three key proposals to address the issue.
The first is redesigning the bridge to eliminate dangerous curves and improve its gradient.
The second option involves upgrading the Old Marima Road, an alternative route that remains in poor condition but could offer a safer passage.
All these according to President William Ruto, were rendered unviable due to budget constrains that were orchestrated by the dropping of the Finance Bill 2024.
The bill that was forcefully abandoned due to resistance by Kenyans, contained solutions to bridge the infrastructure funding gap.
However President Ruto has revealed that Kenya is in a good place financially and will allocate funding for a cost appropriate financing option.
While the government grapples with budget constraints, the pressing need for a lasting solution remains, as every day the bridge remains unchanged, it continues to pose a threat to motorists.
