Garissa–Tana River Bridge construction progressing well - Ruto

The 150-metre Garissa–Tana River Bridge/PCS

The construction of the 150-metre Garissa–Tana River Bridge and its approach roads along the Ukasi–Garissa–Modika Road is progressing well and remains on course for completion, President William Ruto has said.

In a statement shared on X, President Ruto said the project will play a critical role in improving transport efficiency and safety in North Eastern Kenya.

“Once completed, the project will ease the movement of goods and people and improve road safety, especially during the rainy season,” the President noted, underscoring the bridge’s importance to a region that has long struggled with poor connectivity.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale welcomed the project, describing it as a transformative investment that will significantly improve the North Eastern region’s linkage with the rest of the country.

Duale said the new bridge is being constructed to replace the original Garissa–Tana River bridge, which was commissioned in 1980 and has now served the region for more than four decades.

According to Duale, the 43-year-old bridge had become increasingly risky due to its age and structural fatigue.

He noted that the old bridge experienced significant vibrations and was frequently submerged during periods of heavy rainfall, posing a danger to motorists, pedestrians, and livestock.

“This original structure is aging and collapsing. It is under President Ruto’s leadership that it is being replaced by a new, modern bridge project,” Duale said.

The current bridge project was officially launched in February 2025 by President Ruto and is expected to be completed by December 2025.

Duale expressed appreciation for the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in historically marginalised regions, saying the project demonstrates that promises of improved connectivity are being translated into tangible action.

“Thank you, Mr President. The road to better infrastructure connectivity is real,” he added.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo also hailed the project, noting that it is being implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and represents a major infrastructural milestone for North Eastern Kenya.

Omollo said the new bridge is set to become the region’s primary gateway, easing movement, improving safety, and strengthening a vital corridor that links communities to essential services.

The Garissa–Tana River Bridge/PCS

Once completed, the new 150-metre bridge will handle most vehicular traffic, while the existing 43-year-old bridge will be reserved for lighter use, including pedestrians, bodaboda riders, and livestock.

This separation of traffic is expected to reduce congestion and significantly improve safety for all road users.

The Garissa–Tana River Bridge, located about five kilometres before Garissa town, has long been a notorious bottleneck.

Pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and motorists have traditionally been forced to share the narrow crossing, often competing for space and risking accidents, especially during peak hours and the rainy season.

Beyond improving mobility, leaders say the bridge will act as a catalyst for socio-economic growth.