Construction at the Kitengela Bypass, commissioned for construction in March 2022 is now back on course after four months of neglect.
Speaking in Kitengela, while inspecting progress of the road, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said that the completion of the road will ease traffic and give the town a facelift, especially after it acquired municipality status.
“The road will ease traffic congestion in the town, which has become a menace as the population has grown and continues to grow over time,” said Lenku
He further noted that if re-elected, he will ensure that the road links with the Old Namanga road, which serves the larger Milimani area, Sifa Farm and Kitengela reserve with several private schools.
The Kajiado County Chief Executive for Roads, Public Works, Housing and Energy, Alex Kilowua revealed that several development projects in Kitengela town have been made possible through partnership with the World Bank.
“We have had high level discussions with the World Bank on how to decongest Kitengela Municipality. Once we link the Bypass with the Old Namanga road, the traffic being witnessed currently will be a thing of the past,” said Kilowua.
Kilowua noted that under the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) Programs which Kajiado is under, a modern rail station should be built for the residents in the Deliverance section as this will make their travel to Nairobi easy and fast.
Kilowua noted that this will be very effective for the residents as the Kajiado government has already tarmacked the 2.2 Kms of road connecting to the old railway station.
The tarmacking of the road comes as a relief to traders and residents who had suffered for months due to the dust and some traders had to close down their businesses.
“Finally after months of dealing with the road left unattended, we can now sigh in relief. We are grateful that the road has now been tarmacked and we can’t wait for it to be completed hoping business returns to normal,” said Mama Jayne, a trader in the area.
Another resident, Gloria Ndolo is happy that the construction of the road has resumed and is calling on the Government to also work on the Old Namanga Road, which also serves a huge population in Kitengela.
Due to the lack of a market place, traders have already occupied sections of the road, which have been completed causing chaos between pedestrians and vehicles during rush hour.
“It’s a shame that the road has just been completed and traders have now mushroomed selling goods on the road. This should be addressed immediately before its opening,” Said James Njoroge.
The upgrading of the 17 kilometers road is due to be completed by September 2022.
By Diana Meneto and Vivian Mbinya
