President Uhuru Kenyatta launches projects to decongest Nairobi roads

Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday launched two road projects to decongest the eastern parts of Nairobi where majority of residents live.

The two projects are Outering Road – which carries the biggest traffic volume in the city— and the Nairobi Eastern Missing Link Roads.

The two projects will benefit 13 out of the 17 constituencies in Nairobi City County by easing the severe traffic pressure that hikes the cost of transportation in the city.

The road construction projects are part of the Jubilee Government’s pledge to improve services in the eastern parts of Nairobi, which have been neglected for decades.

President Kenyatta, who spoke at Outer Ring Road/Mutindwa Road Junction, said development in Nairobi has always been biased towards the western parts of the city.

“The Government will change this and we will make Nairobi equal. We will take development to the areas where majority of Kenyans live including the informal settlements,” he said.

He made it clear that the Government’s development plan covers all Kenyans irrespective of their party affiliation.

“We do not bring development to those who voted for us alone but for all Kenyans. We do so because it is just for Kenyans to be served equally by the Government in power,” he said.

The President pointed out that congestion in Nairobi has been an obstacle for the city to progress and be in the same league with top cities in the world.

Outering Road has the biggest traffic volume with 87,000 vehicles using it on a daily basis and the new project will have ripple effects in other parts of the city.

According to statistics read at the function by Governor Kidero, the Kenya Revenue Authority registers 8000 new cars every month, 7000 of which belong to Nairobi residents.

The President said the Jubilee Government will continue implementing projects to improve the infrastructure of Nairobi, which he said faces many challenges.

“We have engaged the National Youth Service to uplift the standards of the informal settlements,” the President said.

He directed contractors building the roads to hire local youth for construction works. The Head of State said the directive to benefit the locals also applies to the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway and all other infrastructure projects.

President Kenyatta, at the same time, revisited his directive on poorly constructed buildings to be demolished to reduce the possibility of houses collapsing, leading to fatalities.

He said those who have built their houses according to required standards but never got approval because they lacked title deeds should have nothing to worry about.

The President asked the Nairobi County government and the Ministry of Lands and Housing to facilitate such people to acquire titles for their houses.

He called on Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to investigate claims of corruption involving city officials who are blackmailing property owners.

“Our objective was to save lives but not to create avenues for corruption. We will take action against those engaged in corruption,” President Kenyatta said.

The President was accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau, Devolution Cabinet Anne Waiguru and Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Nairobi Women Rep Rachael Shebesh, Embakasi West MP George Theuri among others.

President Kenyatta later visited the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where he toured ongoing expansion projects.

He inspected a 16 lane car screening yard at the entrance of the airport which will be ready for use at the end of March. President Kenyatta also toured a new terminal that is nearing completion.