Arimi Bridge Tragedy Exposes Nakuru’s Road Safety Crisis

On the night of Saturday, February 1, 2026, three lives were abruptly cut short on the Molo–Njoro Road in Nakuru County. A heavy truck ferrying logs lost control at Arimi Bridge near Amco, plunging into the bridge and killing the driver and two passengers instantly. 

Residents of Molo and Njoro described the bridge as a “black spot”—a location notorious for deadly accidents. Last year alone, at least 12 people lost their lives at the same point, prompting repeated pleas to authorities for safety interventions such as proper lighting, clearer road signs, protective crash barriers, and improved road markings.

At the national level, government leaders have acknowledged challenges on Kenya’s busy transport corridors and repeatedly highlighted major infrastructure upgrades as part of a broader strategy to save lives and ease traffic.

In November 2025, President William Ruto officially launched the dualling of the Rironi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Road, a massive project stretching around 170–175 kilometers. The upgrade will transform the current two‑way highway into a modern multi‑lane dual carriageway, an urgent measure to curb congestion and reduce frequent accidents that plague the Northern Corridor, which connects Nairobi to Nakuru and beyond.

The government says the expanded road will feature interchanges, truck lay‑bys, pedestrian bridges, lighting, safety barriers, and drainage systems—elements specifically aimed at enhancing safety for all road users.

Completion of the project is targeted for mid‑2027, with some critical sections expected to be operational even earlier. President Ruto highlighted the transformation the corridor is expected to bring to Kenya’s transport system, economic growth, and safety, calling the development a “gateway to prosperity and unity.”

Despite these grand infrastructure plans, residents of Nakuru argue that more immediate action is sorely needed on local roads like the Molo–Njoro stretch, where danger is a daily experience. Without adequate lighting, protective barriers, and clear signage, even short journeys carry unacceptable risk. Road users from commercial drivers to boda boda riders and school childrenface peril long before the Rironi–Mau Summit expansion becomes a reality.

Critics also point to other urgent safety concerns, including sinkholes and deteriorating surfaces on nearby Nakuru roads, which have prompted advisories from road authorities about sudden hazards requiring repair.

The tragedy at Arimi Bridge is a painful reminder that road safety in Kenya cannot wait. While the Rironi–Mau Summit Road project represents hope for a safer future connection between Nairobi and Nakuru, the families losing loved ones today along local Nakuru roads are asking: Where are the immediate interventions?

Remember, road safety is a communal responsibility.

Stay connected with us on WhatsApp and TikTok for instant updates and breaking news as it happens.