Several roads in Nairobi will be closed to allow for upgrades and repair works, the Nairobi City County government has announced.
Among the roads closed for repairs are Kipande Road and Jogoo Road.
“Kipande Road has been temporarily closed to facilitate a drainage upgrade aimed at addressing the persistent flooding at the Ojijo Road roundabout. The current drainage system, which consists of a 1200 mm pipe connecting to a 600 mm pipe at Ojijo, has caused backflow and significant flooding. As agreed with the national government, we have intensified roadworks. Several other roads within estates are also undergoing repairs,” said Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Sakaja stated that the upgrades would prioritise addressing drainage issues and repairing persistent potholes.
The county government has also announced the completion of upgrades on several roads, including Kisauni Road in Nairobi West Ward, Kawangware Market Road, Pam-Baraka Road Mung’etho in Mowlem Ward, and Nyayo Highrise Roads.
Other completed projects include the access road to Ruthimitu Girls High School in Uthiru/Ruthimitu Ward, as well as Ziwa and Kahawa Wards Roads.
At 2nd Parklands Avenue in Nairobi, the county government has embarked on the construction of a new stormwater drain to address waterlogging around the Red Ginger area.
The newly constructed storm water drain is expected to significantly reduce the impact of heavy rains in the surrounding areas and prevent future flooding.
Sakaja stated that the repair works would cover roads under both national and county jurisdictions, with all relevant road management agencies involved in the ongoing rehabilitation.
Nairobi County has been grappling with the poor state of roads over the past few years. Many roads have been left in a deplorable condition, marked by potholes and inadequate drainage systems.
In November, Mr Sakaja hosted President William Ruto in Soweto, where residents raised concerns over the poor condition of roads in the area. Subsequently, a meeting between Mr Sakaja, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua, and Kenya Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General Kungu Ndungu resolved to address the situation.
