This archive report was first published on 2 July 2021.
Located in Kirinyaga County, River Nyamindi is a natural wonder that originates from the snow-capped peak of Mt Kenya, flowing through the highlands and lowlands of the county.
One of the most striking features of the river is the God's bridge, also known as Ndaraca ya Ngai, which has been a source of fascination for local tourists and residents alike.
According to Antony Murimi, a resident of the area, the bridge has been in existence for centuries and has never shown signs of caving in, despite the weight of many vehicles that cross through it.
Locally referred to as Ndaraca ya Ngai, the bridge is believed to be God's own masterpiece, with tones of soil sitting on top of a pattern of stones that perfectly fit together like a solved puzzle, allowing water to pass through what seems like a cave.
The bridge is used by locals to cross River Nyamindi to either side of Mûrûri and Diffathas in Mûrindûko ward, Mwea East Sub County.
However, the bridge is surrounded by legends and mysteries, with one legend stating that colonialists had once attempted to replace it with an artificial bridge, but their efforts were in vain.
As Cyrus Muthike, another resident, explained, the construction materials they had planned to use in building an artificial bridge would always be swept away when the River Nyamindi flooded mysteriously.
It is said that the bridge was discovered by a shepherd who was herding livestock around the area, and saw two animals fighting and then disappearing from his sight, only to realize that they had fought through to the other side.
