President William Ruto has reaffirmed his commitment to fixing the Nithi Bridge, a structure that has long been linked with tragic accidents along the Meru–Embu highway.

Speaking on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at St Mary’s AIPCA Kathelwa Church in Meru, the president said the government had completed the contract process for the project.

“Vile mlinitembelea kuna mambo tulikubaliana ya hapa Meru. Kwanza tulikubaliana ile Nithi Bridge ambayo imetusumbua karibu miaka ishirini inaua watu, tumesema hiyo Nithi Bridge, tuirekebishe tuinyoroshe ndio iwache kuwa ni mahali ya maafa. Na mimi nataka niawambie tumemaliza kadarasi, tumepatia nyinyi billioni saba ya kutengenenza hiyo daraja iwe sawa sawa,” Ruto told the congregation.

The president’s assurance follows a series of steps already taken by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to begin the tendering process for the bridge’s reconstruction.

In August, KeNHA issued guidelines on how the tendering process would be conducted, inviting suppliers, contractors, consultants, and service providers to submit their bids through the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System.

Tender process completed

KeNHA said the tender documents for the “Realignment of Nithi Bridge along the Makutano–Embu–Meru (A9) Road” would be uploaded on the platform by August 11, 2025. The agency, which oversees the development and maintenance of national roads, noted that the bridge’s redesign had been finalised and was ready for implementation.

The authority also announced plans to rehabilitate other major roads, including the Thika–Magumu road, Maralal–Morijo, and Kisima–Sura Aduru roads, all expected to be upgraded to bituminous standards.

President Ruto had earlier said the redesign of the Nithi Bridge would cost Ksh7 billion, adding that construction must be completed before the next general election.

“The redesign is complete, and it’s solid. The bridge needs Ksh7 billion. Procurement starts tomorrow. The new design straightens the sharp curves, and construction must be completed before the next general election,” he said during a visit to the area on August 4, 2025.

The Nithi Bridge, built in 1985, has earned a grim reputation as one of Kenya’s deadliest blackspots. It has claimed hundreds of lives over the years, with many vehicles losing control at its sharp bend.