Kibra to have 24 hour economy in the next 2 months, Kidero’s government says

NAIROBI: Kibra residents will benefit if plans to light it up by the Nairobi County government is anything to go by in the next 60 days.

The County's Executive Roads and Transport, Mohamed Abdulahi said that the informal settlement that has at least 600, 000 residents will in the next two months start enjoying doing businesses in lighted up streets.

"We have set aside Sh 953 million for the installation and rehabilitation of street lights. Kibra is set to be a major beneficiary of the rehabilitation of street lighting in the city," said Abdullahi.

He went on: "We are doing this with an aim of revitalizing the 24 hour economy as well as reducing insecurity incidences which have reduced from 1,200 incidences per month to 300 incidences per month."

Addressing the stakeholders during a Public Participation sessions, Abdulahi said that the County government was putting in place to interact with Nairobi residents ahead of the expected El Nino rains.

Abdulahi also said that City County is aware of the effects of the El Nino experience of 1997, flash floods of May, 2015 adding that, whatever mitigation elements must be adhered to irrespective of what the content of the pending comprehensive report may be in respect to the expected rainfall.

"We are now meeting Nairobi residents in all our 17 Sub counties to conduct public awareness campaigns and use them as platforms to caution them on how to cope with the eminent catastrophe and also take mitigation measures to protect property and human life when the heavy rainfall starts," he said.

Kibra is one of the areas likely to be affected when the rains commence.

The Executive Committee Member said that the County Government is currently repairing and unclogging all blocked drainages and sewers in Kibra.

Mr Mohamed also said that his Sector was working closely with the Environment Sector to ensure increased and efficient collection of garbage as this would greatly contribute towards easy flow of water through respective systems.

Several concerns were raised by area residents including slow construction and repair of drainage sites, unclogging of drainages and few storm drainages.

However, Abdulahi promised to work hand in hand with the NCCG's planning department in identifying these areas.

He assured the area residents that properties found in breach of building and planning guidelines will be demolished to pave way for smooth flow of water.

The Roads and Infrastructure sector will meet with key Welfare officials in the coming days to address the issue of properties built along riparian areas.

In August 2015, the County government mapped out hot spot areas identified in a preliminary report after the heavy rainfall in May, 2015 which ravaged the City and caused loss of lives and properties.

Sectors are supposed to act on the immediate action and where feasible the main interventions.

Some of these areas include;Highrise Estate, South C. shopping Centre, Loresho along the bypass, Muthangare, Kileleshwa Ring Road interchange, Maziwa-Ziimmerman Kamiti Road, River bank area along Baba Dogo and Outer ring road.

Other areas include Lavington- Chalbi Drive, Garden Estate, Thome, Roysambu, Kahawa west, Donholm, Mbagathi /Langata rd R/about, Nairobi West, Ruai, Utawala, Mukuru slums and Kibra Slums.

The county's report is expected to highlight way forward in dealing with heavy rainfalls and the mitigating factors it intends to put in place to protect Nairobi residents against heavy floods.

Mr Abdulahi who chaired the meeting was flanked by City Engineer Kinyua Wamugunda, Michael Ngare, Chief Officer Water and Sanitation and County Director, Meteorological Department, Mary Kilavi.