Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has given a way forward after a section of roads have been rendered impassable in Nairobi and its environs due to floods caused by the ongoing rains.
The CS noted that his ministry has requested partial budgetary support from the treasury to complete unfinished road works in the affected areas.
This he says will help reduce the number of accidents and other incidences on the roads.
“Because of the accidents and incidences on that road we have requested a partial budgetary support from the treasury and have negotiated with the contractor to, upon receiving the partial payment, resume site and complete the most critical sections for the sake of safety,” noted Murkomen.
The Roads CS made these remarks in response to complaints made by Senior Counsel Paul Muite who called him out of the over the situation of underpasses on Nairobi-Nakuru Highway from Uthiru to Rioni.
Muite noted that the roads are waterlogged causing a problem to both small cars as well as tankers and trailers.
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Senior Counsel Muite Concerns
“CS K Murkomen, all the under-passes on NRB/NKU rd from Uthiru to Rironi are a nightmare not just for small cars but trailers & tankers too; waterlogged; deep craters & rocks sticking out,” stated Muite.
The Senior Counsel urged the CS to use taxpayers’ money to fix the situation on the roads.
“Please use the road maintenance levy we pay for every litre of fuel to fix these,” he added.
Murkomen in a quick rejoinder explained that the James Guchuri -Rironi road has an active development contract with a huge pending bill, adding that roads with active development contract can’t be allocated maintenance funds.
“As you may be aware we have unfinished roads all over the country with a cumulative pending bill of Kshs 165 billion,” he explained.
“Under the law a road with active development contract can’t be allocated maintenance funds. At the same time the contractor is waiting some payment to resume site.”
CS Murkomen however agreed with Muite on the state of roads explaining that he is aware of the situation on James Gichuru to Rironi underpasses.
Murkomen Explains Why the Roads Flood
He further explained that the said roads flood because their respective outfall drains have not been completed.
“You are right SC. James Gichuru to Rironi underpasses do flood because their respective outfall drains have not been completed,” stated the Roads CS.
The roads mentioned include Zambezi, Chunga Mali/ Tilisi, Gichini. Additionally, he noted that for Zambezi and Chunga Mali the acquisition of land to construct a pond is not done.
He further revealed that unfinished work includes service roads including Kangemi overpass, Gitaru interchange, the various other underpasses.
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CS Murkomen also mentioned outfall drains, streetlights and footbridges as some of the works yet to be finished.
Nevertheless, he confirmed that various leaders from Kiambu and Nairobi County have called him and held discissions in a bid to complete the road in question.
“We have held extensive discussions with the leaders of Kiambu led by the Majority Leader National Assembly and Nairobi leaders. Governor Sakaja, MPs West Lands, Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa , Limuru and Lari , Women Rep and Senator Kiambu have all called on me severally to discuss the completion of that road,” the CS said.
He also assured that if everthing remains constant then works should resume on the roads in a months time.
“All things constant we should commence works on the critical areas within the next four weeks,” Murkomen added.
