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KURA upgrading Kajiado North town roads

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has embarked on a multi-million project to upgrade sections of major roads linking Kajiado North.

 

KURA is currently tarmacking the road sections from Chonjo to the PCEA church and up to the Catholic Church in Kerarapon, Oloolua Ward in Kajiado North.

 

The drainage channels are currently being built, with the Authority keen on upgrading several kilometers of major roads linking the town.

 

The main work comprises construction of single carriageway roads upgraded to bitumen standard, currently at 29 percent completion.

 

Residents have often complained about the dilapidated state of most roads around Kajiado town. The Central Business District was the only area with tarmac.

 

Last year in February, residents of Kajiado East and North constituencies threatened to move to court over the poor state of their roads, which they termed deliberate neglect by road agencies.

 

Car owners said they incurred huge maintenance costs while boda boda operators cried their motorcycles were often damaged by the roads and they spent a lot of money on repairs.

 

Pedestrians are covered with dust during the dry season and struggle to walk through the roads filled with mud and potholes when it rains.

 

“As residents living in this town for many years, we have suffered due to the poor state of roads. The dust has also caused us sicknesses and when it rains movement becomes impossible due to potholes and mud. It’s high time we have a change in terms of road network,” Stephen Kariuki, a resident said.

 

“We welcome the move by the government to implement this project as it will uplift the town from economic neglect by attracting investors and raising the value of properties due to improved access,” he said.

 

Boda boda operators also welcomed the project, noting that upgrading the roads would boost their business as they will end up covering more areas without having to worry about breakdown of their machines.

 

The urban roads authority has however encountered several challenges while implementing the project.

 

Some of the challenges include an inadequate road reserve in some of the identified roads and lack of an adequate storm water management system within Kajiado town.

 

Kura has pointed out that the town is prone to poor drainage as the area lacks an adequate storm water management system.

 

There is also a plea to the authority to consider other strategic roads that have not been programmed for development within the ongoing project to help Kajiado catch up with neighboring towns such as Ngong, Rongai and Kiserian.

By Alice Gworo

 

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