Bridges of death leave trail of destruction in Nyeri

A motorist approaches Tambaya Bridge near Mukurwei-ini Town in Nyeri County on May 1,2016 where road signs and guard rails have been vandalised. (PHOTO: KIBATA KIHU/ STANDARD)

For months now, two bridges in the county have become a source of misery for residents.

At the Tambaya and Thuti bridges, many people have died and scores injured because of the alarming frequency of road accidents. Hardly a week passes without a vehicle plunging into the fast-moving rivers.

Since the beginning of the year, at least three major road accidents have occurred every month at Tambaya Bridge in Mukurweini constituency and Thuti Bridge in Othaya sub-county.

The frequency of the accidents has been attributed to lack of road signs and vandalised rail guards.

Located at a steep and sharp corner, motorists are always caught unawares.

A visit to Thuti River, where a box culvert has been constructed, reveals a worrying site as vehicles speed down the hill on both sides, only to end up losing control and plunging in the river.

John Kibaga, who lives near the black spot, explained how every month, he is usually the first one at the scene of a grisly road accident.

"Just two weeks ago, a truck transporting tea leaves from the local factory veered into the river and I jumped in and saved the driver," said Mr Kibaga.

He often has to watch helplessly as motorists and motorcycles veer off the road and end up on his farm. "I could be tending to my tea bushes only to see a personal vehicle careening towards me and have no choice but to be the first respondent," Kibaga said.

He said while the road is in good condition, the area has no road signs to warn motorists to slow down and the trees along the road hinder visibility.

Members of the public view the lorry which was transporting tea leaves from Kagunduini Tea Buying Centre to Iriai-ini Tea Factory in Othaya, Nyeri County on April 22, 2016. After the driver lost control and plunged into Thuti River near Othaya Town. (PHOTO:KIBATA KIHU/ STANDARD)

He said he had witnessed at least three serious road accidents since January and that a minimum of two to three minor accidents occur at least thrice a month.

Kibaga said since the road was opened in 2014, the number of accidents has risen sharply.

At Tambaya Bridge, at least two people have died on the spot this year.

Mwangi Gachanga, whose home is just one metre away from the bridge, said the bridge, which was constructed over 20 years ago, has been a black spot for the past five years.

"The road was in very poor condition, thus vehicles did not speed along the stretch of road. However, after it was rehabilitated, it became a black spot for pedestrians and motorists," he said.

 FAMILY DIES

He recounted a recent incident where residents had milled around a scene of an accident after a truck plunged into the river. Minutes later, a second lorry lost control and nearly rammed into the crowd.

"The truck almost veered into the crowd but the driver swerved off the road and ended up in a ditch, just a few metres from the crowd. Very many lives would have been lost that day," Mr Gachanja said.

Gachanja counted at least five people who had died along the bridge in the past six months including a mother and child, who were killed by a speeding motorist.

Kenya Rural Roads Authority Regional Manager James Kabiru said he was aware of the current state of the road and plans were underway to put up guard rails and signage.

"In Othaya, there has been a problem of road signage being vandalised and we will assess if this is the case along the Thuti River culvert," he said.

He assured Tambaya residents that the guard rails would be reconstructed in the next week as the contractor was already on the site.

"We will closely supervise the construction of the guard rails but the problem is that motorists continue freewheeling along that route disregarding the danger of losing control and causing accidents," he said.