Kenya: Beautification of roundabouts, being conducted by corporates, could be affected if a county master plan is implemented.

The State recently announced a master plan to redesign mass transport system in the capital and this means removal of six roundabouts to ease traffic congestion.

Once the plan is implemented, the country expects to save Sh227 million but what exactly does this move mean for companies that had been contracted to beautify roundabouts?

In recent years, roundabouts have become the latest fad to catch corporates’ eyes with companies using them to reach their target audiences.

As such, various private firms have been awarded tenders to beautify and maintain their chosen areas in a professional manner.

This has been a win-win situation where the corporates get to market their brand while the county gets to benefit from aesthetically pleasing highways.

This arrangement has led to a face lift of all roundabouts with green, well-watered grass and well-cut flowers adorning all major roads.

Speaking to The Standard, Trade Executive Anna Othoro said the beautification exercise was initially done by casual labourers attached to the then City Council of Nairobi, but this is no longer the case.

“We require professionals to undertake and oversee this project hence the new arrangement with companies. The county government will, however, keep an eye and continuously evaluate the quality of work done,” she said.

However, the tide is changing and roundabouts, which have been a key feature of our roads since time immemorial, are set to be archived in history, paving way for a breakthrough in the transport industry.

NEW PLANS

With the looming implementation of the transport master plan, Roads Executive Mohamed Abdullahi said companies that had been contracted to beautify roundabouts are going to be informed accordingly on the next course of action.

He said the county government intends to align implementation of the new decongestion plan by focusing on preparatory works with the Old Nation (Khoja) roundabout being first in line.

“Starting next month, we will begin blocking traffic at the Old Nation roundabout, as part of the preparatory works, and the other five will follow,” he said.

“Focus is on short-term measures, to get people to adjust.

‘Implementation and actual removal of roundabouts should commence by next month once everything is in place,” he added.