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Kenya

Sh300m project to improve lower Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – The Nairobi Metropolitan Development Ministry has launched a Sh300 million project aimed at rehabilitation of Mathare North Bus Route, Commercial Street as well as refurbishment of non-motorized transport facilities along the same road.

Minister Njeru Githae said on Wednesday that these roads were part of the ongoing projects that the Ministry had embarked on in an effort to decongest the city.

He said that they would provide easier connectivity and alternative routes across the city.

“We are not going to construct roads in Karen since they can build them themselves. Now we will concentrate on this side and construct a tarmac road and even put proper lighting in them,” he stated.

“Now we are putting lights where there are businesses. So instead of being a ‘Mulika Mwizi,’ they will be referred to as ‘Mulika Biashara,’ since there will be a lot of businesses going on in this area,” he said.

He explained that several feeder roads will be attached to the main road making the length of the total construction to be 4.5 kilometers.

“We have chosen to work on these roads because of their strategic nature and the sheer number of people that stands to benefit,” he said.

“The roads will serve schools such as Ruaraka High School and Mathare North primary school, a busy retail market, the DO’s office, Kenya School of Monetary studies among many others.”

He observed that The Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development was a key stakeholder in implementation of Vision 2030 and therefore smooth movement of traffic was one of the challenges that must be surmounted to facilitate the goals espoused in the Vision.

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“Poor transport mobility and connectivity is a result of inadequate transport management, inadequate transportation plans, investment and lack of maintenance of infrastructure. Traffic congestion is a problem that we have no choice but to address,” he pointed out.

He stated that the country had experienced improved economy in the recent past and resultant demand on physical development such as housing, health, education, social amenities, sustainable and reliable transport among other issues.

“The ever increasing number of persons moving to urban areas has ensured a strain on these facilities. Nairobi is most affected. There is need for new thinking in order to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly and liveable urban centre,” he said.

He reiterated the government\’s commitment in establishing a reliable Mass Rapid Transport System in the city.

He said that this will see introduction of a bus transit system and a commuter rail among others.

The ministry is currently reviewing a study done on Nairobi Traffic Management with a view to implementing mass rapid transport system in major corridors.

The Ministry together with Ministries of Finance and Transport are working in ways to improve Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) systems in the city.

This will include introduction of Bus Rapid Transit system and a commuter rail among others.

Recently the ministry awarded a tender for consultancy services for Nairobi Traffic Management to come up with recommendations and proposals both for short and long term measures to curb traffic congestion in the City of Nairobi.

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