The Nairobi Metropolitan Services has embarked on constructing a 28km road in Kibera set to connect to Langata, Southern Bypass and other roads.
The road project is part of the Sh 5.8billion project aimed at upgrading 444km of access roads across informal settlements in Nairobi County. NMS declared Kibera, Korogocho and Mathare as special planning areas ahead of their upgrade. It is also in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to the Major General Badi to undertake slum-upgrading initiatives in the capital.
Mr Badi affirmed that one year from now, all access roads within the informal settlements will be tarmacked. He added that the project in Kibera will also involve three other major developments including installation of water pipes, sewers lines and electricity. The General also noted that properties built on land marked for the road construction will be demolished.
“No favoritism will be applied whether the house is built using stones, mud or iron sheets. I plead with residents to cooperate and move with speed to demolish the houses,” said Mr. Badi.
Boost livelihood in informal settlements
NMS director of transport and public works Michael Ochieng’ said labour for the road project will be sourced locally from the people living in the area where the project is.
“We are calling upon the youths to take part in this project which will benefit generations to come. These projects will be beneficial to area residents especially in times of disaster. It will also boost livelihood in informal settlements,” said Mr Ochieng.
The upgrade of the 444km of roads, according to Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia, is one of the measures being undertaken to improve accessibility in the informal settlements. Last year in September Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) director general Silas Kinoti said the road project will see areas such as Kawangware, Riruta, parts of Dagoretti North, Mathare, Kangemi, Mukuru, Kibera, parts of Githurai 44 and 45, Mwiki and Zimmermann, among others re-carpeted.
CS Maharia pointed out that some informal settlements had been mapped in readiness for the start of the project which will involve the upgrade of the roads to bitumen standards. Upon completion, the project will open the areas up and make them more accessible.
