Nairobi CBD changes- Cycleways, walkways 'on course'

Nairobi beautification by youth under 'Kazi Mtaani' by the Nairobi metropolitan along Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, on June 2, 2020. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Nairobi's streets are beginning to take on a new shine as the Nairobi Metropolitan Service works to deliver on what was promised within 100 days of takeover.

Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) works are going on at Kenyatta Avenue, Wabera and Muindi Mbingu streets coordinated by Michael Ochieng, NMS Director of Transport, Roads and Public Works.

The construction of pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes attracted a night visit by the president if a video clip doing the rounds on social media is anything to go by.

CCTV images

Social media was yesterday lit up as the video of what appeared to show CCTV images of persons resembling President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga stopped to look at the works along Kenyatta Avenue on Monday night.

The Standard, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the clip.

The video shows a car stop by the works at about 8.25pm followed by several SUVs in a small motorcade as well as heavily armed police. The cars are, however, unmarked.

In the CBD, the work begins from Moi Avenue past Serena Hotel at the Integrity Centre junction.

"The Muindi Mbingu NMT moves right from City Hall to University Way and the roundabout at the University of Nairobi," said Ochieng.

He said in the next 20 days, they should be able to provide residents with the appropriate NMT, part of which is a de-congestion strategy.

New administration

Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Mohammed Badi about two weeks ago met with Raila as he continued to organise his new administration.

Badi took over office on March 18 after President Kenyatta put him in charge of the city.

This followed the coming into effect of the Deed of Transfer of functions that the national government and Nairobi County signed on February 25, 2020, that saw governor Mike Sonko relinquish some of the key departments in the county.

The NMS is implementing the Nairobi Mobility Plan and NMT in collaboration with Kura, Kenha and Kerra. Laying of kerbstones and blocks is also in progress with ongoing roads works having factored in drainage.

According to Ochieng, Phase One runs along the Nairobi River from Donholm to Westlands to Eastlands and allows residents to walk or cycle into the CBD, Industrial Area and Westlands.

Phase two will join Phase One at the city centre and runs to Lang'ata via railway city.

Phase Three will start from the CBD to Ngara and goes all the way to Roysambu.