The flipside of Thika superhighway

The gains of the expanded Thika Road cannot be over-emphasised, but some crucial social implications may have been overlooked, writes PETER MUIRURI

As many celebrate the ease of traffic flow occasioned by the Nairobi-Thika Superhighway, residents living along the highway are concerned about the social-economic impact the new road will have on their lives.

The reality of such effects came to the fore in a recent brainstorming forum organised by the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (Kara) and attended by those living or doing business along the superhighway and officials from the Ministry of Roads.

The meeting was the culmination of six other public forums held with residents along the highway.

During the forum, residents isolated several negative effects that are likely to occur during and after the completion of the project ranging from health, economic, social and environmental.

Although there may be little redress to many of the matters raised due to the advanced progress of the project, participants hope the emerging issues will inform other major infrastructural upgrading works still in the pipeline.

"As much as the issues we are raising were factored in the planning phase of the project, having such an interactive debate will ensure that the residents’ concerns are heard by the relevant authorities and, where possible, adjustments made," says Stephen Mutoro, Kara’s chief executive.

Mutoro says the cost of living along Thika Road has gone up, forcing many tenants to move out since they can no longer afford the high rents.

According to Evaristus Irandu, an associate professor with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi, research conducted along the Thika Superhighway showed increased levels of respiratory diseases in addition to other health complications.

"The increase in dust levels has affected the air quality in the area, giving rise to many respiratory problems. In addition, contractors are using fresh water to soak some of the dust during construction, further reducing the water available for domestic use. Some of the liquid waste generated by the construction is also finding its way into domestic water sources," says Irandu.

Scenic hills

Many people along the Thika Superhighway have also complained of increasing noise levels and vibrations that have resulted in some house walls cracking.

"Many are being affected by aesthetic pollution caused by the modern mode of construction used on the road. Former scenic hills and valleys have disappeared, giving way to overpasses, underpasses and tunnels. Biological clocks will be affected by the vehicular all-night-long lights," says Irandu.

As much as the residents welcome the new road, the social disruptions this project has caused were also brought to the fore.

Livingstone Waiganjo, an official with Kahawa Sukari Resident Association, laments the fact that children in the neighbouhood no longer meet and play as they used to due to the danger associated with crossing the new road in areas where there are no footbridges. Currently, there are only ten footbridges along the entire 49.9km stretch of the new highway. This is especially a matter of concern for Peter Kariuki, a disabled person who finds it challenging to cross the highway.

Other issues had to do with the design of the road itself. Some residents noted that there are no designated spots where motorists can pull over in case of mechanical problems or other emergencies.

Timothy Muriuki, Chairman of Nairobi Central Business District Association, argued that while the road has effectively addressed the issue of traffic outflow from the city, the issue of what to do with the same traffic once it gets to the city each morning remains a nightmare for urban planners.

"How do you have thousands of vehicles pouring into the city each morning from Thika Road only to spend hours trying to squeeze into Tom Mboya Street after the Globe Cinema overpass?" wondered Muriuki.

Traffic issues notwithstanding, the skyrocketing property values along the new road are threatening food security in an area whose residents rely on subsistence farming for sustenance.

Agriculturally rich

"Sadly, many people along the road are being lured by the attractive prices and are selling their parcels of land or changing them to commercial use, thereby decreasing food output," Mutoro says.

The situation, participants said, is being complicated by the fact that a large volume of the soil being used by the contractor is also sourced from the agriculturally rich region.

Despite the residents’ concerns, the Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) Director-General Meshack Kidenda says the Government is satisfied with the progress made in the project.

"We have managed to separate motorised from non-motorised transport and pedestrians by having separate lanes for each," says Kidenda.

Kidenda says some physical issues will have to be resolved toward the end of the project. For example, a number of pedestrian crossings will have to be installed later on, owing to the nature of the road design.

He says footbridges will be erected, taking into consideration people living with disability who have to cross from one side of the road to the other.

"The project was envisioned because of an existing need to make travel to the central and northern part of Kenya faster. Kenyans must choose between having a good sleep and improving the economy. The project will make our lives better in the long run," says Kidenda.

Concerning safety on the road, the director-general says Kenyans must change their attitude regarding road use and embrace strict adherence to local government by-laws.

Referring to a recent incident where a Maasai herdsman lost 18 cows along the road, Kidenda says: "Contrary to current trends in our urban centres, local authority by-laws prohibit the grazing of livestock in cities or along public highways. Anyone contravening such directives ought to be arrested and charged in a court of law."

Kidenda also defended the rising cost of the project, which has gone up by almost 40 per cent, saying it was occasioned by the weakening shilling and Kenyans should desist from attributing the rise to corruption.