The iconic Kahama hotel has been earmarked for demolition as part of the government’s plan to construct a new public transport terminal in Nairobi’s Globe Roundabout area.
National Lands Commission (NLC) chair Gershom Otachi confirmed the report and said that the demolitions will pave way for the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to begin the construction plans.
The Globe roundabout bus terminus is part of NMS plans to ease traffic congestion within the city. The targeted land has been acting as a holding zone for public service vehicles from the Mt Kenya and North Rift regions. Matatus plying Juja Road and the Thika superhighway.
Non-motorised transport programme
Further five landowners are set to lose their prime acres of land to the State in a bid to allow for the construction. Part of the land in Grogan area in Nairobi will also be acquired.ย Other termini include Green Park which already complete, Muthurwa, Fig Tree, Desai, Park road, Workshop road, and Bunyala road.
The Kahama hotel which was established in the 1980s. The hotel was previously known as Kenya International hotel. Mr Otachi affirmed that the landowners would be compensated by the state. NMS also plans to construct pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes along various streets in Nairobi.
Dubbed as the non-motorised transport programme, it seeks to encourage Kenyans to opt for the pathways instead of the normal public transport services.
“The non-motorised transport programme will not only offer safety to pedestrians and cyclists but also contribute to decongestion on the roads. The grey ones are meant for pedestrians while the red are for cycling,โ NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi stated.
