Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has given the way forward on the rehabilitation of sections of Mombasa Road damaged during the construction of the Nairobi Expressway, months after concerns were raised over its state.
Speaking at an event by Moja Expressway held on Tuesday, February 7, KeNHA Director-General Kungu Ndung’u affirmed that the refurbishment would commence in two months.
He also stated that three footbridges would be added along Mombasa Road for ease of use by pedestrians.
“There is a need to enhance the facility that was existing before the Expressway. Therefore, KenHA is going to implement additional facilities including footbridges, and also strengthen the old road. We expect contracts in place in about eight weeks,” he stated.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Jeanne May, the head of Public Relations of Moja Expressway, pointed out that the company had already completed refurbishing its sections of the lower roads before the grand opening of the Nairobi Expressway in May 2022.
She added that the government was mandated to release the funds for the project to begin.
“Ideally, Moja Expressway is not supposed to cater for that because when roads get damaged it’s because of the relocation of power lines, sewer lines hence the government is supposed to release the funds for the rehabilitation.”
She affirmed that the rehabilitation would also include Waiyaki Way.
In November 2022, Samwel Kumba, the deputy director of corporate communications at KeNHA, affirmed that the damages occasioned by the relocation of services along the road to pave way for the expressway would be catered for by the government and not Moja Expressway.
“These services include the relocation of fibre optics, power lines, and water pipes, just to name a few. The process of relocation entailed digging hence the damage was done by government agencies.
“Therefore, we cannot compel them (Moja Expressway) to do such repairs. That kind of damage can only be repaired by the respective government agencies,” he spoke to Kenyans.co.ke on November 21, 2022.
Moja Expressway was contracted to run the expressway for 27 years before handing it over to the government.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE