Drivers using the Embu-Meru road have been urged to drive with caution as they approach the Nithi River bridge which is notorious for many fatal accidents.
In the most recent accident, three people died Tuesday evening at the black spot while others were seriously injured.
The accident happened after the driver of the Sunbird bus which was headed to Nairobi from Meru lost control after he noticed a recovery vehicle on the road.
The vehicle was pulling out a truck which had plunged down the Nithi River three days ago.
Following the Tuesday accident, twelve people were Wednesday still undergoing treatment at Chogoria Mission Hospital.
Four of those still in hospital were said to be in critical condition.
Tharaka-Nithi County Commissioner Charles Monari urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles are well serviced before using the road as it has many turns and slopes which require a good breaking system.
He took issue with management of some matatu companies for allowing their drivers to speed.
“Some vehicles speed down this dangerous road, something that exposes them to great risk of accidents,” said Mr Monari.
He also urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to take action against companies not adhering to traffic rules.
Mr Monari also asked boda boda riders to be sober while on the busy road and avoid speeding down the dangerous slope.
Tharaka-Nithi County Governor Samuel Ragwa said there is need to redesign the road to avoid the occurrence of accidents.REDESIGN ROAD
“There is at least one or two accidents every week at this bridge and everybody will agree that the designing of this road was not the best,” said Mr Ragwa.
He also asked the National Government to re-gazette the bridge as a black spot so that all Kenyans can be alert any time they drive on the road.
John Mutwiri, a truck driver, said that it is difficult to control a speeding long vehicle on the winding road as one approaches the bridge.
“The problem is the sharp corner at the bridge which makes it difficult for drivers control a speeding vehicle,” he said.
Only two people out of 14 who were rushed to Chogoria Mission Hospital following the Tuesday accident had been treated and discharged by Wednesday afternoon.
The hospital’s Human Resource and Administrative Manager Maryanne Gitonga, however, said those injured were responding well to treatment.
“Today morning we discharged two out of 14 who were admitted and others are responding well to treatment except for four who are still in critical condition,” said Ms Gitonga.
She said that most of those injured sustained rib and tissue injures due as the bus rolled.
Speaking at the hospital, Maara Sub-County OCPD John Njihia said the injured who had been rushed to Muthambi Dispensary were later transferred to Chogoria Hospital.
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