Several construction workers are believed to be trapped in the rubble of a collapsed flyover that was under construction in Kangemi, Nairobi. Kangemi MCA Paul Mahamba described the incident as “unfortunate” as several people have been feared trapped at the site.
“Four people have been rescued and rushed to hospital and efforts are underway to help others,” said Mr. Mahamba.
The tragedy occurred where the iconic Kangemi Bridge was demolished recently to pave way for a modern on the highway that is under construction to join the Westlands-JKIA Expressway. The collapsed section was part of the Sh 16 billion Waiyaki Way expansion project awarded to China Wu Yi firm.
Frequent delays
The project involves the expansion of the 25km James Gichuru-Rironi Road stretch along Waiyaki Way into a superhighway. The project, which began in 2017, was slated to be completed in December 2020. In April 2021, during an inspection of the project, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia issued an ultimatum to engineers after noting huge delays. The CS said that the delays were becoming more frequent, and gave an ultimatum for the road to be completed by the end of July 2021.
The flyover under construction was a replacement for the initial flyover that had become too small for the growing traffic needs on the busy highway. Engineer Sanjay Kumar added that construction works on the road is 85% complete and affirmed that the 3-kilometer stretch would be finished in due time.
