New Meru Governor Mutuma M’ethingia was among an esteemed list of politicians who accompanied President William Ruto during his tour of Tharaka Nithi County, and during the occasion, he appealed to Ruto to prioritise the killer Nithi Bridge.
Speaking during the event held in Tharaka Constituency on Friday, April 4, 2025, the governor spoke at length about the vital bridge, emphasising that it is a major connector for the entire eastern region, and when accidents occur on it, they affect the entire region.
He called on the president to include the bridge in his plans, despite the fact that the project requires a significant amount of funding. He acknowledged that the country is facing financial constraints but insisted that the matter concerning the bridge was urgent and cannot be delayed.
“Your Excellency, I won’t take much of your time, but we all know the Tharaka Nithi Bridge is no small task – it’s a big project. However, despite the financial challenges our country is facing, this bridge should be part of your development plans,” he said.
Mutuma, who ascended to the county’s top job after the High Court upheld the impeachment of former Governor Kawira Mwangaza on March 14, 2025, further clarified to Ruto that the bridge connects all the way to Somalia, which is why he was urgently appealing for its swift rehabilitation.
He continued to insist on the matter, telling Ruto that he was aware of the great affection he holds for the people of Meru and Mount Kenya and expressed his hope that Ruto would fulfil his promise to them.
“The bridge is not just for Meru or Tharaka Nithi; it’s for all Kenyans. It passes through Meru, all the way to Somalia and Ethiopia. Make sure it’s included in your plans, and we know you have a deep love for the people of Meru and Mt Kenya. We trust you will deliver on this,” he added.
Ruto’s Response
In his response, however, Ruto did not address the issue of the bridge directly but instead lavished praise on the new governor, calling him a man with a clean heart.
Speaking to the large crowd that had gathered to meet him in the county, the president confidently stated that he was now sure that his projects in Meru County would be efficiently run and successfully executed because Mutuma was a man of integrity.
At this point, the Head of State also compared Mutuma to his Tharaka Nithi counterpart, Governor Muthomi Njuki, stating that both men were well-equipped leaders, and he had full confidence in their leadership abilities.
“He has a clean heart – a truly pure heart. Now, with a man of his calibre, together with his colleague here in Tharaka Nithi, Muthomi Njuki, I am confident that we will accomplish all our tasks here in Meru,” he remarked.
Final response
However, hours later, after moving on to meet another crowd in the county’s Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe Constituency, the president vowed to address the Nithi Bridge issue by 2027.
This came after the residents he was addressing in Chuka jeered him and cut short his speech as they shouted “Nithi Bridge”, leaving the president with no option but to respond.
He admitted to being fully aware of the escalating concerns surrounding the bridge and revealed that he had instructed the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) to allocate Ksh5 million for the bridge’s rehabilitation.
The President further emphasised that the rehabilitation of the Nithi Bridge would be one of the key milestones to gauge his success by 2027. In his words, if he fails to deliver on this major project, Kenyans would be left in shock – but he vowed that he would indeed complete it.
“The Nithi Bridge is not just for you; it’s for all of Kenya. Every Kenyan passes through here. KENHA has given us a bill of Ksh 5 million to ensure this bridge no longer harms the people here. Now, with the funds secured for Nithi, this is my test. I promise you, I will complete this bridge before 2027, and when I do, you’ll be amazed,” he declared.