Road expansion brings mixed fortunes to residents

By WAIRIMU KAMANDE

It has been publicised as the ultimate solution to transport problems synonymous with Thika Road.

But the multi-billion project to expand the highway has had negative and positive impact on the frequent users of the road and residents of the 40km stretch from Nairobi to Thika town.

First was the demolition of all buildings, which included supermarkets, restaurants, and petrol stations that were built on public utility land along the road.

Then came incessant traffic snarl-ups caused by the numerous diversions.

Part of Thika Road under construction. [PHOTO: STAFFORD ONDEGO/STANDARD]

Mr Edward Muiruri, a Thika resident, says he dreads going to Nairobi these days.

He says the journey to the city has for the last one year become a nightmare, owing to the bumper-to-bumper traffic jams that could start from Kenyatta University, all the way to Nairobi and can last up to three hours.

"To reach Nairobi by eight, one needs to have hit the road by 6am or earlier," he says.

Ms Lucy Njeri, who says she has to factor in at least four hours of being on the road, travelling from Thika to Nairobi, echoes his sentiments. "If I have business in Nairobi, I always leave very early in the morning and make sure that I do not delay past 3pm, if I’m to make it back to Thika early. It is hectic for employees who have to wait until five o’clock to leave office," she says.

Mr Raphael Muriithi, a conductor with Channia Travellers, says the delays caused by the ongoing road expansion have eaten into their revenue due to reduced number of trips they can make daily.

"Prior to this, we used to make an average of seven round trips between Nairobi and Thika daily. We now can barely manage five trips a day," he says.

Farmers also feel inconvenienced by the road project.

Mr Francis Munyua, who exports farm produce, says they are now forced to arrange for horticultural produce to be ferried at night to beat the traffic jams and make it to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

"Lorries transporting produce leave farms at night when there is less traffic on the road to get to Nairobi in time," he says.

Land prices

Also affected are land prices in the area, with the prices shooting up to levels unimaginable before.

According to a land dealer based in Thika, a quarter of an acre in parts of the area cost Sh800,000 in 2007, but prices have shot to about Sh1.2 million.

Companies such as Thika Greens have also come to reap the benefits offered by the expected superhighway by coming up with a posh golf estate targeting the high-income group.

Individuals will have to part with at least Sh8 million to posses a quarter acre of land in the neighbourhood.

Many are optimistic at the benefits they are bound to reap once the project is complete in two years.

"The temporary sacrifice is worth it," says Kamau Macharia, a Thika based lawyer.