Landlords face demolitions in dual carriage road works

Kiosks constructed by the County Government of Meru at Gitimbine on the outskirts of Meru town. The kiosks will be moved to pave way for the dual carriageway because they are constructed on a road reserve. [Olivia Murithi, Standard]

Owners of dozens of commercial buildings in Meru town are staring at demolitions ahead of the construction of the first dual carriageway in the Mt Kenya East region.

The 13-kilometre road is aimed at eliminating perennial traffic gridlock in Meru town. The road will run between Gikumene on the main Nairobi-Meru-Nanyuki (A9) highway for 8.2 kilometres, terminating at Gitoro Showground.

The other arm will run from the Makutano junction to Ruiri junction on the Meru–Maua highway which is codenamed B66 in Kenha lingo.

Runji Consulting Group (RCG), the design and tendering consultants, said three alternative designs will be prepared by end of February, 2020.

“We are seeking to reduce the amount of social and environmental disruptions from the project. We will explore the various options, including narrowing the road in some sections and removing parking bays and walkways from one side of the highway to reduce the number of acquisitions and demolitions,” said Runji consultancy head Dr Patriso Njeru Njiru.

Kenha regional manager Albert Semutwa told a leaders forum on Wednesday that those encroaching on the highway reserve should leave on their own volition. There would be no negotiations or compensation for them, he warned.

It is feared that a number of high rise commercial buildings, especially on the B66, are encroaching on the highway and could be brought down. Construction could commence by the end of next year, according to timeline issued by Dr Njiru. 

Preliminary drafts by the consultants show that 144 plots owned by 140 institutions and individuals are due for compulsory acquisition to accommodate interchanges at Gitimbine, Makutano, Kaaga, Ruiri and Gitoro.