Road construction across the Mt Kenya region is gaining momentum, with new and upgraded roads, especially the Nithi Bridge, expected to improve transport, connect farmers to markets, and open up areas that have long struggled with poor infrastructure.
From Meru’s proposed 252-kilometer road program and KSh3 billion town bypass to road upgrades in Tharaka Nithi and Embu, the projects are changing how residents move people and goods across the region.
For farmers and traders, the improved roads are expected to ease the movement of goods and provide better access to markets. Motorists are also set to benefit from shorter travel times and safer journeys.
A key project is the reconstruction and realignment of Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi County, and residents hope the upgrade will help end the frequent accidents that have long made the area one of the region’s most dangerous road sections.
Nithi Bridge Reconstruction Targets Dangerous Blackspot
The existing Nithi Bridge along the Meru-Embu highway has been associated with frequent accidents for more than three decades.
The steep descent and sharp curves have made the section particularly dangerous for motorists, with residents recalling accidents involving heavy trucks, buses and vehicles transporting miraa between Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu.
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The government is rebuilding and realigning the crossing of the Nithi Bridge to create a safer, more direct route.
The project covers about 2.7 kilometres and includes an 880-metre straight bridge designed to eliminate the sharp curves and steep sections associated with the existing crossing.
Once completed, the new bridge will be among the longest in Kenya.
Progress on the project has picked up in 2026, following public participation, land mapping, geotechnical surveys and clearance processes.
A contractor has been mobilized to the site, while compensation for affected landowners is ongoing. Early works are expected to pave the way for construction of the bridge columns.
For residents who have witnessed accidents at Nithi Bridge for years, the arrival of construction machinery has offered renewed hope.
Resident Recalls Years of Nithi Accidents
Wilfred Mutai Kubai, a resident of Tharaka Nithi, says the area around Nithi Bridge has been dangerous for as long as he can remember.
He recalls frequent accidents involving miraa vehicles, buses and heavy trucks, some of which left several people dead.
“Many accidents have been happening on this bridge for as long as I can remember. Almost every month,” stated Kubai.
Kubai says President William Ruto announced the construction of the new bridge while in Marimanti, but many residents only became convinced that the project was finally taking shape when construction machinery arrived at the site.
He says the project has also created employment opportunities for local youth who previously spent much of their time idle at nearby stages.
Kubai adds that motorists have become more cautious since construction began, helping reduce accidents in the area.
He expects the completed bridge to make transport safer and easier while supporting businesses and opening new markets.
He also believes the improved road could attract tourists and increase economic activity in surrounding communities.
Also Read: Locals Hail Upgrading of Key Road Projects in Tharaka Nithi County
For Kubai, one of the biggest benefits will be ending the repeated need for residents to rush to accident scenes to rescue injured people or recover victims.
He hopes the project will also provide him with an opportunity to earn money and eventually start a business.
New Road to Open Up Farming Areas
In Embu, residents are similarly looking forward to the benefits of improved road connectivity.
Michael Kathomba says the Kivuwe-Makengi-Runyenjes Road has renewed residents’ hopes after years of waiting for a proper tarmac road.
The road serves farming areas where residents grow miraa, macadamia, bananas and avocados. Businesses in areas such as Kivuti and Karingare are also expected to benefit from improved connectivity.
Kathomba says the road will make it easier for farmers and traders to transport their produce while reducing the challenges caused by mud during the rainy season and dust during dry periods.
“This road will help many people because they will be able to transport their produce, including miraa, macadamia nuts, bananas and avocados. It will also help us in businesses such as butcheries. We faced many challenges during the rainy season because of the mud, while during the dry season, there was a lot of dust,” said Michael.
He recalls that the road had not been tarmacked since he was born.
According to Kathomba, the road was murramed around 1978 when he was young, but residents continued waiting for a permanent tarmac surface for decades.
He believes the new road will improve trade, clean up the area and help residents improve their livelihoods.
Kenol-Sagana-Karatina Road Eases Motorists’ Burden
Further south, improvements along the Kenol-Sagana-Karatina highway have also eased transport for motorists traveling between Mt Kenya and Nairobi.
Jackson Gikunju, a driver at Kenol stage, says the improved highway has made his work easier after years of dealing with heavy congestion.
Gikunju, who has driven for 13 years, says traveling from areas such as Kirinyaga towards Nairobi is now easier than before.
He believes further expansion of the road into a wider multi-lane highway would make movement even smoother.
Before the improvements, Gikunju recalls that traffic congestion was particularly severe for vehicles traveling from Embu towards Nairobi.
He says traffic jams could stretch from Makuyu, and passing through Kenol was often difficult because of the congestion.
The improved highway, he says, has reduced the pressure on motorists and made driving more manageable.
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