Sh50m set aside to fix drainage in Nairobi

The government is set to spend at least Sh50 million on the rehabilitation and maintenance of drainage systems along roads in the city county.

The maintenance and rehabilitation process to be done by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has been described as 'emergency works'.

The roads under maintenance and rehabilitation have been divided into three different lots.

According to a statement from KeNHA, lot one will include the stretch from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Likoni Road.

It will see the installation of a culvert at the U-turn near General Motors (GM) and stone pitching of the drain from the U-turn past the GM footbridge.

Inspection tour

Other works include painting of the street lights on the stretch and excavation of the drains at GM and at the Total fuel station at Imara Daima.

"This is part of maintenance works that will help keep our roads safe and in good condition unlike what we saw during the just ended rain season," KeNHA Director General Linus Tonui said during an inspection tour of the roads on Friday.

A car struggling through floods in Nairobi during the previous rainy season. The part of maintenance works being done will help keep our roads safe and in good condition unlike what we saw during the just ended rain season, KeNHA Director General Linus Tonui said.
(PHOTO: COURTESY)

The second lot will pick up from Likoni Road towards Museum Hill, with works including painting of street lights, excavation of materials in the drains, repair of cabro blocks at various sections between Nyayo Stadium roundabout and Haile Selassie Avenue and finally installation of culverts near Makaburini.

The statement indicated that slabs will be laid on the Limuru Road stretch between Forest Road and Gigiri.

There will also be installation of guard rails and patching of potholes at various points along the road.

According to Mr Tonui, the main reason for the excavation of drainage in the GM area was the flooding at Imara Daima, which rendered the road impassable when it rained.

"This is a major route heading to the airport and it is an embarrassment to Kenyans when international visitors and leaders have to see this state of our roads. We had to act fast and repair them," he said.

Three contractors have already been awarded contracts for the maintenance and rehabilitation project with the first lot costing Sh19 million, the second Sh19 million and the third Sh13 million.