Four people have been confirmed dead while four others are in critical condition following a devastating accident involving a Kensilver Bus at Nithi along the Meru-Nairobi highway in Tharaka Nithi County on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
The bus, en route from Maua to Nairobi, was carrying 39 passengers at the time of the incident, which occurred around 11 am.
County Police Commander Zacchaeus Ng’eno, confirming the tragedy noted that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident, advising owners of motor vehicles, especially Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) to ensure they are roadworthy.
"We have lost two female passengers, one adult male and a male juvenile in the accident. We ask family members of those who have lost their loved ones to take heart for the loss.
"This place has been nicknamed ‘a black spot’ and we call upon motorists and especially owners of motor vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy before embarking on a journey," Ng’eno said.
Douglas Gathiru, the bus conductor, recounted the harrowing moments, stating that the bus, registration number KBN 309F developed brake system failure at Marima, before descending the Nithi Bridge slope which is a black spot, forcing the driver to act swiftly and crash the bus against the slopy meanders.
“We were travelling from Maua to Nairobi but when we approached the Nithi slope at Marima towards the bridge, the bus brake system failed and the driver crashed it against the road to avoid getting at the bridge," he said.
Motorists and residents have now called on the government to ensure the speedy re-engineering of the bridge as promised, to avert more incidents. According to residents, the blackspot has been the cause of over six major accidents so far this year.
Previous accident
This incident follows a similar one on March 15, where 38 students and 10 teachers narrowly escaped death at the same location when a school bus belonging to Itoleka Girls’ Secondary School suffered brake failure.
Stretching across 50 meters, Nithi Bridge has earned a reputation as a black spot due to its location between the Marima and Mitheru markets, with sharp bends posing significant hazards, especially given the limited visibility for drivers.
Various proposals, including rerouting the road, erecting a new bridge, or reshaping the existing one, are under consideration, between the County Government of Tharaka Nithi and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to address the treacherous conditions of the bridge.
Past tragedies, such as the fatal incident in 2022 involving a Modern Coast Bus that claimed 36 lives, the August 2000 accident that claimed 45 lives and injured 27, and another in 1998 resulting in the demise of 56 individuals aboard a Stage Coach bus, highlight the urgent need for action.
