At least two people lost their lives on Tuesday, October 14, at the infamous Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi County after a lorry they were travelling in plunged into the river.
The lorry, which was carrying green bananas from Meru to Nairobi, reportedly lost control before veering off the bridge and crashing into the river below.
Images of the scene showed the lorry broken into several parts by the force of the impact. While the front of the lorry was completely mangled, parts of its suspension could be seen submerged in the river.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that the heavily loaded lorry descended towards the bridge at extreme speed, suggesting the driver was experiencing brake failure.
"The lorry was travelling from Meru to Nairobi. It plunged into the river and killed several people. Two people are deceased inside the vehicle. We just want to know what the government is doing to stop these accidents," one witness said.
Tharaka Nithi Police Commander Zaccheus Ng'eno confirmed the incident, adding that initial rescue operations led to the recovery of one body from the wreckage.
Police have since been deployed at the scene to assist in controlling the area and recovering the two other bodies.
In the wake of the accident, area locals pointed an accusing finger at the government over a recent promise by President William Ruto, who vowed to rehabilitate the Nithi area.
Ruto spoke in August during a meeting with Tharaka-Nithi leaders where he vowed revealed procurement process for the construction of the Nithi Bridge was underway.
“You told me that we shall have a fall out about this Nithi Bridge, you told me to either fix the bridge or we will fall out. I heard you, and I will fix it," the President said at the time.
"It requires Sh7 billion, which is a lot of money, but I will fix it by all means. We are starting the procurement of the Nithi Bridge tomorrow. Not because you are here, no, it is because you told me there are consequences."
The Nithi Bridge area is notorious for deadly accidents, with several fatal crashes in recent years being attributed to the steep descent and sharp bend leading to the crossing.
In September 2024, 12 people lost their lives after the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision at the bridge.
At the time, it was revealed that one of the drivers was not well-versed with the route and was driving in the wrong lane when the crash occurred.
