Sh40 million beautification controversy rocks Nairobi ahead of Barack Obama’s visit

A section of Mombasa Road undergoing beautification.

NAIROBI: To beautify Nairobi or not seems to be the big question ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit.

The county government has changed landscaping along Mombasa Road between Bunyala and Nyayo round-about, giving it more than one facelift in a span of two months.

The stretch first got a facelift in 2009, when Machakos Governor Alred Mutua, then, the Government spokesman initiated a layout of marble rocks, which were later removed and reverted to it’s earlier grass layout.

On Sunday, contractors from Urban Green Landscapers were busy laying a concrete slab along both sides of the beds in readiness for a block stretch, which they described as the beginning of a ‘new Nairobi’.

BLOCKED DRAINAGES

The workers said they will construct undulating contours and grass beds, complete with pebble rocks on the sides.

Sunday, motorists and pedestrians interviewed faulted the county government for focusing so much on Obama’s visit instead of working on roads and the drainage in their estates.

“Obama will only be here for a day. They should have used the money to unblock drainages, which have been a problem every time it rains,” said Stanley Njunge.

The beautification, which starts from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport all the way to Westlands, will cost Sh40 million.

A billboard featuring President Uhuru Kenyatta and Governor Evans Kidero will be placed at the exit of the airport. Ngara ward rep Chege Mwaura termed the allocation wasteful.

County Chief Environmental Officer Leah Oyake said over 2,000 trees have been planted between the city centre and Imara Daima.