Motorists travelling to other parts of Central Kenya have been urged to use alternative routes to avoid congestion on Mashujaa Day.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Director General, Engineer Kungu Ndung’u, stated that heavy traffic to be expected along Kenol-Mwea road today, as a number of government officials and other VIPs will be attending the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County.
Ndung’u advised motorists travelling to Nyeri to use the Thika-Gacharage-Nyeri route or the Kenol-Murang’a-Sagana-Karatina routes while those travelling to Embu and Meru areas were advised to use the Kenol-Murang’a-Sagana-Embu route.
Speaking during the inspection of the ongoing construction of the Kenol-Marua dual carriage road, the Director General said that there will be traffic marshals and police at various points along the road to guide traffic.
“We urge the public and all motorists to cooperate with the traffic marshals and police, who will be at various designated points,” Ndung’u said.
He also stated that the construction of the Kenol- Marua road that begun slightly over a year ago is proceeding according to plan.
Other roads under construction in the area are the Ruiru-Githunguri 47-kilometer road and the Mau Mau road which is a total of 650 kilometers being rehabilitated or upgraded to bitumen.
There are also about 1000 kilometers of road under maintenance in various parts of the region.
KeNHA Chairman, Engineer Wangai Ndirangu, stated that the construction of the Kenol-Marua road includes the construction of eight markets along the road and a trauma hospital at Sagana.
Ndirangu also urged motorists not going to the Mashujaa Day celebrations to use other routes in order to avoid the expected traffic congestion.
The Chairman of the Matatu Owners’ Association Francis Manyeki observed that the road once completed, will ease traffic congestion and save motorists a lot of time.
He, however, urged all road users to be cautious, so as not to cause accidents.
“As we use the road, let us be careful to avoid accidents,” Manyeki said, adding that it would be better for Matatu drivers to opt for alternative routes today to avoid congestion.
By Purity Mugo
