Counting losses over delayed road repair

By Athman Amran

Thousands of residents of Second Avenue in Nairobi’s Eastleigh have been living in agony over a road whose construction work they say is moving at snail speed.

The work, which began in October last year at an estimated cost of Sh173 million, is expected to be complete in less than two months.

But when The Standard visited the site two days ago, there was nothing to show that construction of the road that stretches from Juja Rd to Eastleigh Section Three was going on.

Pedestrians hop, step and jump to cross the road while cars wade through muddy water.

A number of businesses along the 3km section have been counting losses as the road has remained like a trench that holds stagnant water for months after.

Wet earth and stones have been heaped on the side of the road literally blocking shops and other businesses.

Residents and business people interviewed said they had lodged a complaint with the area MP Yusuf Hassan about the slow work.

Mr Hassan told The Standard that residents had complained to him about the alleged poor material being used, the delay in finishing the work and obstruction of business activities.

“The quality of material being used is a technical argument.  What I know is that the contract was given in October last year by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and the work is expected to be complete in October this year,” the MP said.

He also raised concern as to whether the road could be complete by October, which is less than two months away.

Don’t want failure

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