Nithi Bridge, a notorious crossing along the Meru-Embu Road, claimed twelve more lives this past weekend in a tragic accident that also left one person seriously injured.
The incident occurred in the wee hours of Sunday, when a 10-seater van collided head-on with a pickup truck due to brake failure in the van, which caused it to veer into the wrong lane.
A local resident, who has crossed the bridge twice a week for over a decade, shared his concerns on Facebook.
Despite his familiarity with the bridge, he has always found it unsafe. He highlighted that most severe accidents involve drivers unfamiliar with the road, particularly first-time or newly appointed bus drivers.
"What Nithi doesn't like is drivers who are new on that road. Majority of....no...nearly all the very bad accidents on that bridge have been caused by a driver doing that road for the first time or is generally new on the route," he wrote.
The accident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent dangers at Nithi Bridge, known for its sharp bends and steep descents.
The traveler advised against using hired vehicles driven by those unfamiliar with the route, recommending experienced matatu or bus services instead.
He also suggested that a redesign by Chinese engineers might be necessary to prevent future tragedies.
The Kenyan government has previously promised to address the bridge's design, but no substantial changes have been made yet.
Until such modifications are implemented, caution remains the best defense for those passing through this perilous crossing.
.png)
0 Comments