The Nithi Bridge, located along the Meru-Embu road, can be considered one of the most dangerous road sections in the country, owing to the number of lives that have been lost there through accidents.
The bridge is located in steep terrain in the Meru area and has sharp turns, making it dangerous for road users.
Since 2018, over 60 people have lost their lives on the bridge, while hundreds of others have been injured.
Despite the rising number of accidents reported in the area over the years, nothing much has changed, which has led to more accidents and, thus, the loss of more lives.
Investigations into the accidents in the area revealed that some of the accidents were caused by human error, such as speeding and reckless driving, and the lack of sufficient road safety measures, such as road signs and clear road markings.
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In this article, we outline some of the accidents that have happened in the area since 2018:
Joy Kenya Bus Accident
In April 2018, two people died, and over 20 sustained injuries after a bus they were traveling in veered off and plunged into the river after reportedly suffering a brake failure. The bus was heading to Nairobi from Meru.
Matatu Collides with Lorry
In January 2019, four people died, and 11 sustained injuries after a lorry collided with a 14-seater matatu at Kiriani along the Nithi bridge.
The then-area police boss, Johnston Kabusia, told the media that two people died on the spot while two others died at the said two people died at Chogoria Mission Hospital.
Reports indicated that the lorry seemed to have mechanical problems before ramming into the matatu.
Lorry-Matatu Crash
In February 2021, five people lost their lives, and four sustained injuries after a lorry rammed into a matatu along the Nithi bridge.
The lorry ferrying milk from Meru rammed into a matatu that was heading in the opposite direction. The four injured passengers were all in the lorry, whereas the fatalities were from the matatu.
Modern Coast Crash
In July 2022, Nithi Bridge had one of the worst accidents in the country in the last few years after a Modern Coast bus plunged into the river, leading to the loss of over 30 lives.
Eleven people survived the accident but sustained injuries. Reports indicated the bus plunged into the river after the driver lost control.
Bus Rolls on Nithi Bridge
In April 2024, a bus ferrying 39 passengers from Meru to Nairobi rolled along the Nithi bridge, leaving four dead.
The bus reportedly rolled after experiencing brake failure.
September 2024 Accident
On 1 September 2024, twelve people died after being involved in a nasty road crash in the Nithi Bridge area.
Among the fatalities were two minors; the others were eight female and two male adults.
Tharaka Nithi police commander Zaccheus Ng'eno confirmed the accident.
The accident involved a Nairobi-bound hired private Toyota Hiace and a Toyota Hilux driven toward Chogoria.
"It is another dark evening that we have had an accident. We are confirming that we have collected 12 bodies from the scene, and two others injured," said Ng'eno.
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