Nairobi residents are set to face extended periods of traffic jams in the coming weeks.
This is after Governor Johnson Sakaja on November 15 announced that renovations on major roads in Nairobi are set to commence within the coming weeks.
“Major roads in the city are set for rehabilitation and construction works shortly,” the governor announced in an X post shared on his account.
The construction is set to affect roads in areas around the Central Business District (CBD), Jogoo Road, Juja Road, Uhuru Highway and other urban areas such as Westlands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Upper Hill.
Nairobi City Governor Arthur Sakaja
Photo
Kenyans.co.ke
The announcement followed a meeting between Sakaja, Transport CS Davis Chirchir, Roads PS Joseph Mbugua, Kenya Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Kungu Ndungu, officials from both the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the Nairobi County Works and Mobility team.
Sakaja announced that the road works were to cover both national and county road projects. He called for collaboration between all the agencies involved so as to streamline the project that is set to be undertaken.
“The roads have been classified as national while others are county calling for close collaboration with all agencies involved,” he stated.
The governor also added that stalled projects would be completed as the county government aims to improve the transport network of Nairobi.
“Previously stalled projects under the defunct National Metropolitan Services (NMS), KURA, and national government will also be completed,” Sakaja maintained.
Nairobi residents have long decried the poor state of roads in the county with many calling for Sakaja’s intervention into the matter. The residents have expressed their frustrations on potholes, poor drainage, and dimly lit areas.
Recently, Parliament passed proposals to increase the road maintenance levy from Ksh18 to Ksh25. The levy aims to maintain and improve the state of roads in the country. Kenyans have argued that they are not getting value for their buck as roads remain in poor condition.
The impending road works are aimed at addressing the long-standing issues of deplorable road conditions and aid in easing congestion and poor drainage.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
Photo
KeNHA
