City residents on road reserve told to move

By LONAH KIBET

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Government has issued a 60-day quit notice to residents of Eastlands in Nairobi who have encroached on the Outer Ring Road reserve ahead of expansion of the road.

The Government also warned that it will only compensate those with genuine documents.

A comprehensive resettlement plan will, however, be put in place for those who will be affected by the project.

According to a public notice issued by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura), the Sh10.5 billion project is scheduled to kick off on April 1, 2014 and will take three years.

Africa Development Bank (AfDB) board, will contribute 88.5 per cent of the money as a loan and a grant, with the Kenyan Government expected to top up.

The project will see the road upgraded into dual carriageway status to expand its capacity.

The 13km dual carriageway,  from Ruaraka/Thika Road Junction to Taj Mall in Embakasi, will ease the current traffic bottleneck experienced in Eastlands while at the same time connecting Thika Superhighway to Mombasa Road and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

10 footbridges

The project also includes dualling (two lanes in each direction), service roads, 10 footbridges 9-metre Bus Rapid Transit(BRT), Non-Motorised Traffic and six grade separated junctions.

There will also be the introduction of footpaths and cycle tracks on either side of the roads to protect the pedestrians and cyclists from motor vehicle accidents.

Deviation roads, of about 12km, will be upgraded for use and they include Thika Superhighway, Mathare North, Juja road,  Mtarakwa,  Komarock Road, Embakasi Barracks, Kangundo Road, Eastern Bypass and Outer Ring Road.

Once complete, it will address congestion as well reduce carbon emissions and provide social infrastructure such as market stalls for informal traders, especially women.