The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a temporary closure of the Meru – Embu (A9) road, specifically between Muthambi and the Nithi Bridge, on Sunday, November 17, 2024.
The closure, scheduled from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, is to facilitate a solemn procession in honor of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Crash Victims.
This event aims to commemorate those who have lost their lives or been injured in road accidents and to promote road safety awareness.
Motorists traveling along this busy route should be mindful of the closure and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid delays.
KeNHA has provided alternative routes for drivers during this period to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Those traveling from Embu towards Meru are advised to take a right turn 50 meters before reaching the bridge, proceeding through the Muthambi Vocational Training Centre, to reconnect with the main road at Muthambi Centre.
Conversely, drivers coming from Meru towards Embu should turn left at Muthambi Centre, navigate through Muthambi Vocational Training Centre, and then rejoin the main road 50 meters past the bridge.
KeNHA encourages all motorists to adhere to the proposed Traffic Management Plan and to cooperate fully with police and traffic marshals stationed along the route.
The Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi County has earned a grim reputation as a “killer bridge” over the years. It is infamous for its history of fatal road accidents, making it one of the country’s deadliest blackspots.
On the last day of August, tragedy struck again when a van collided with a pick-up ferrying miraa to Nairobi.
The horrific crash claimed the lives of all 12 van occupants, while passengers in the pick-up sustained serious injuries, according to police reports.
First constructed in the early 1980s, the Nithi Bridge has maintained a tragic legacy.
Its notoriety stems from a string of accidents that have left families devastated and renewed calls for urgent safety interventions.
