Nithi Bridge: Ruto’s pledge to fix ‘killer bridge’ draws fresh scrutiny years on

Soon after his election, the head of State designated the infamous Nithi Bridge as one of his top policy priorities, repeatedly promising the people of Tharaka Nithi that he would soon embark on the reconstruction of the notoriously risky pathway, a promise that, years later, he is still yet to follow up on - or even show signs of keeping.

Since 2022, during the electioneering period, the President has consistently promised the people of Tharaka Nithi, and the larger Meru region, of his plans to redesign the dangerous bridge, time after time touring the region, parroting the same promises, hinting at the commencement of the construction and even setting unrealistic timelines to pacify the masses and sound urgent.

On 28th April 2023, the President again revisited the Nithi topic, promising a church audience, in the presence of then-governor Kawira Mwangaza and her Tharaka Nithi counterpart Muthomi Njuki, that his government had already set aside plans to include the Nithi Bridge in that year's budgetary allocations.

"Mambo ya Nithi Bridge. Na tulikubaliana na nyinyi, ya kwamba, hii bridge itakoma kuua watu wa Tharaka Nithi na hapa Meru. Tayari tuko kwa mpango wa kupanga budget ya Mwaka huu. Pesa ya kubalidisha ile bridge na hata barabara, isiwe na matatizo kiasi ile... " he told congregants at a church in Tharaka Nithi.

Two years later, on 4th September 2025, while meeting Tharaka Nithi leaders at State House, Ruto once again delved into the Nithi topic, revealing the plans and amounts of money his government had set aside for the bridge's reconstruction and the road's fresh designing.

"I'll fix that bridge. It needs Ksh. 7 billion. Ni pesa nyingi. Lakini juu chini, kulia na kushoto, mbele na nyumba, lazima nitengeneze hio bridge..." he told the gathering.

"We've already created the design. I've seen the design myself, it's perfect. Inahitaji tu kunyorosha iyo Nithi Bridge badala ya kupiga kona kona watu wanazama ndani... " he added.

Six months later, on 26th March 2026, the President yet again dove into his favourite topic, this time at a function in Nyeri, promising the gathering of leaders and Kenyans that he had already secured contractors to kick off the Nithi reconfiguration. 

"Najua tuko na mpango kuwa ya Nithi Bridge. Tukakubaliana na nyinyi ya kwamba hii bridge imeleta maafa makubwa. Imetusumbua kwa miaka mingi, my assurance to you is that we now have a solution for Nithi Bridge..." he told a crowd amid applause.

At yet another State House event, the President spoke of the bridge, saying, "Nimeambia my deputy kuna bridge inanisumbua kila siku inaitwa Nithi Bridge. Hio bridge, contractor wamefika. And we've told him we will build a modern bridge there..."

And yet again, at a press conference with the media, Ruto doubled down on his plans for the bridge, saying, "There's two solutions to that bridge, one will cost us Ksh. 5 billion and they've designed how it's going to happen. The other one will cost us Ksh. 50 billion and they've told us to make a choice...."

Besides Ruto, his DP Kithure Kindiki had said last October (2025) that the project would commence last December, saying the previous three governments had failed to fund the reconstruction of the killer bridge, but Ruto's administration would finally be the one to do it.

"Give us a few months, and we will do it. We already have the funds to reconstruct it. It has already been advertised. The President and I will open it (the new bridge)," he said. 

Many moons later, no tangible progress appears to have been made despite the President's never-ending cycle of promises, assurances, proclamations and updates. 

Kenyans on X called out the President and his administration for the constant lies and unfulfilled promises, wondering when, if ever, he would put his money where his mouth was. 

Many noted that the President was merely paying lip service to this critical road artery, without any clear intention to get the ball rolling and solve the endemic Nithi crisis once and for all.

"Alafu bado kuna mtu bado ako na kiherehere ya kusema Tutam. This man will mess up this country beyond recognition. Mara 5 billion, Mara 7 billion, Mara 50 billion! It's so hard to lie consistently. This guy has no conscience.  How can one person lie this much?" Marvin Wandu asked on X. 

Someone else said: "People who clap for this man really surprise me. You know he's lying. You know he won't keep his word. You've heard the same lies before. You know he's talking just for the sake of it. What is there to clap about? Strange!"

On his part, Kelvin Kariuki said, "One of my friends told me "There are Talkers and Doers, and rarely can you be Both", Ruto is for sure a living proof of these wise words."

Nithi Bridge is approximately 48 kilometres from Embu Town and it connects Meru and Tharaka Nithi  Counties. It is one of the key infrastructure projects that President Ruto promised Kenyans in 2022.

The treacherous River Nithi bridge has claimed tens of children, youths, and older persons since the late Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, opened it in 1983.

The section between Mitheru and Marima markets is a tricky one for motorists, pedestrians, and other road users, and navigating the winding slope and going past the river is a driver's nightmare.