President Uhuru Kenyatta asks landowners to support infrastructural projects

President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked those with land through which infrastructural projects are passing through to surrender it. Otherwise, the President said the government will forcibly seize it.

The President said a few individuals will not be allowed to stand in the way of projects that could save billions of shillings wasted in traffic jams. He blamed landowners for delaying theprojects.

 "Nairobi loses Sh147 billion per year due to traffic jams," the President said. "But there are people who don't want to move and give way to projects that could save us this money. A big chunk of our expenditure is taken by infrastructural projects," he added.

Uhuru expressed his sentiments yesterday when he commissioned the dualling of Ngong Road.

The 2.7-kilometre road is expected to be complete by July next year. It will cost Sh1.5 billion and runs from the Kenya National Library Services headquarters to Ring Road Kilimani. It will expanded from two to four lanes while junctions will have six lanes.

The President spoke at a time when the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Outering Road in Nairobi have been delayed due to compensation issues.

Thanked Japan

Uhuru noted that even though investment in infrastructure doesn't match the population growth in urban centres, he is committed to provide resources to improve the road network.

"Kenyans suffer psychological and social disorders," the President said. "People at times lose jobs due to lateness. That is why we are opening up roads and building roads. When SGR is complete, cargo will be transported by it so that we free our roads," he added.

Uhuru at the same time cautioned contractors to stick to set timelines to complete projects on time.

He also called on agencies responsible for road safety to do more to avert traffic accidents.

"Our safety records need to improve and the number of casualties on our roads is unacceptable. We are building new roads to improve safety and not increase deaths," Uhuru said.

He also noted that roads and electricity are key to development.  By noting this, he called for collaborative efforts between national and county governments to map up utilities like water, sewerage lines and electricity so that they are moved to pave way for other projects.

The President also thanked the Japanese government for funding the dualling of Ngong Road.