The tarmacking of the Gwa Kairu -Thika Superhighway in Juja Sub County is 50 percent complete, and will be opened in two months’ time, Kiambu Governor Dr. James Nyoro has said.
The Sh150 million project will open the populous estate to business and ease accessibility from the estate to the superhighway
The project was launched a month ago following several protests by locals over its sorry state.
During an inspection tour of the construction works yesterday, Nyoro said the road would eventually be connected to the Matangini-Kimbo road to open up the area to business.
He said his administration is in the process of pushing to have Juja Constituency made a stand-alone Municipality to be able to benefit from the Sh3.5 billion funding from the Kenya Urban Support Programme.
“If our proposal is considered, then Juja will have enhanced development in terms of roads and street lighting from the funding. Our intention is to tarmac more roads in our estates through KUSP, but we have been limited by the few municipalities that we have. Our proposal is to have Juja, Kabete and Kikuyu made stand-alone Municipalities in order to benefit more from the programme,” said Nyoro.
Traders led by Peter Njoroge who runs an electronic shop lauded the project saying more customers would visit the area, thus boosting business.
Bodaboda operators led by their chairman Paul Kiarie said the new road would ease movement and save on time.
They said in the past, their motorbike would easily break down due to the deplorable condition of the road.
“This is a big boost for our business as movement will be fast and our bike will stay for long without breaking down. We expect to see more roads being tarmacked in this area,” said Kiarie.
Residents led by Pauline Wairimu said connecting from the estate to the nearby Ruiru town has been frustrating especially during the rainy seasons due to the black soil.
“The road has been hell to us during the rainy seasons. Boda boda hike fare, sometimes you fall into the muddy roads, and it has been frustrating. However, the new road is a big relief,” said Wairimu.
By Muoki Charles
