President William Ruto has announced that the stalled Enziu Bridge in Kitui County will be completed by September after his administration committed Ksh600 million to fast-track the long-delayed project.
Speaking during a church service at ACK St. Martin’s Cathedral in Kitui on Sunday, July 12, President Ruto said the funding would help complete the bridge, which has remained a major concern for residents since a deadly accident at the site in 2021.
“There is this deadly bridge over here that has caused a lot of problems in Kitui County, Enziu Bridge. My administration has pledged Ksh600 million for its completion,” Ruto stated.
The President attributed the delays to logistical challenges, including difficulties in importing some construction materials required by the contractor. However, he maintained that most of the bridge works had already been completed.
“We have done everything within our power to see to it that the bridge is complete in the next one to one and a half months, a delay that was a result of key logistical challenges for some materials for the project,” he said.
The Enziu Bridge gained national attention after a tragic accident on December 4, 2021, when a bus carrying a Catholic church choir and wedding guests plunged into the flooded Enziu River, killing 32 people.
The 51-seater bus belonging to St. Joseph Seminary in Mwingi was transporting members of the Good Shepherd Catholic Parish choir to a wedding ceremony in Nuu when it attempted to cross the submerged bridge and was swept away by strong floodwaters.
Following the tragedy, the government announced plans to urgently rebuild the bridge, with the Ministry of Roads and Transport initially setting aside up to Ksh500 million and targeting completion by December 2022.
In April 2022, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) awarded the construction contract to Kiu Construction Limited at an estimated cost of Ksh700 million, with works commencing in June of the same year.
However, progress slowed due to budget constraints and payment disputes. By the end of 2022, the project was only about 10 per cent complete, with construction nearly grinding to a halt throughout 2023 and 2024.
Efforts to revive the project in 2025 under Deputy President z later stalled after a February 2026 completion deadline set by President Ruto was missed.
Progress resumed in April 2026 after the Treasury released Ksh150 million to clear outstanding payments and allow construction to move into the decking phase.
During his Kitui visit, President Ruto also announced plans to accelerate other infrastructure projects in the county, including road upgrades and the completion of the Thwake Dam project aimed at addressing persistent water shortages.
The President also used the occasion to criticise Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka over his opposition to the planned sale of some state assets, while continuing efforts to woo him ahead of the 2027 General Election.