Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director General Mohammed Badi has warned individuals whose structures stand on a road reserve of imminent demolitions to pave way for the construction of a 28km road.
The Ksh5.8 billion road project is expected to link Kibra to Lang’ata, THE Southern Bypass and neighbouring roads in Nairobi county. The plans to demolish houses in Kibra are reportedly at an advanced stage.
Works on the project have already begun, part of a larger project aimed at upgrading 444km of access roads across informal settlements in Nairobi county. It is expected to be completed within one year.
Speaking during the launch of the construction works in Sarang’ombe and Kibera, Badi stated: “I am calling upon the owners of the houses to demolish their structures themselves because no one will be spared. We will not be biased… whether the house is built using stones, mud or iron sheets.”
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
He promised that all access roads within the informal settlements would be tarmacked within a year, and called upon residents to cooperate with the contractors.
The project, set to begin from Sarang’ombe , would also involve three other major developments including installation of water pipes, water sewer lines and electricity.
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Sarang’ombe MCA Lawrence Odhiambo had raised concern that most remote areas in Kibera lacked access roads and when emergency arose, it posed a challenge for fire engines and water browsers to reach to the area of need. He asserted that he projects were not linked to 2022 politics but were meant to boost livelihoods in informal settlements.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
“These are not political projects but it will go down history that NMS constructed and tarmacked roads in Kibera informal settlement, ” he said.
Areas that are set to benefit from the project include Kawangware, Riruta, parts of Dagoretti North, Mathare, Kangemi and Mukuru. Others are Kibera, parts of Githurai 44 and 45, Mwiki and Zimmermann.
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