Why James Gichuru-Rironi underpasses floods, according to CS Murkomen
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has admitted that construction delays have left the James Gichuru-Rironi underpasses vulnerable to flooding.
In a statement following widespread complaints, the CS admitted that the underpasses are prone to flooding because their respective drains have not been completed.
According to Murkomen, a pond is supposed to be constructed around the area to help collect rainwater and the failure to do so has exposed the road to flooding, adding that several other roads in the same area remain uncompleted for various reasons.
“Underpasses from James Gichuru to Rironi are flooding because their respective drains have not been completed. This includes Zambezi, Chunga Mali/ Tilisi and Gichini. For Zambezi & Chunga Mali, land acquisition for the construction of a pond has not been completed. Unfinished works include service roads, Kangemi flyover, Gitaru flyover and the various other underpasses. Drains, street lights and footbridges are also unfinished,” the CS said.
The CS added that the uncompleted works include service roads, Kangemi overpass, Gitaru interchange, various other underpasses, outfall drains also plus street lights and footbridges.
“The James Gichuri – Rironi road has an active development contract with a huge outstanding bill. As you may be aware, we have uncompleted roads all over the country with a cumulative outstanding bill of Sh165 billion. By law, a road with an active development contract can’t be allocated maintenance funds. At the same time, the contractor is waiting for payment to resume work,” he added.
He said that because of the accidents and incidents on the road, the ministry had requested partial budgetary support from the National Treasury and had negotiated with the contractor to reopen the site and complete the most critical sections for the sake of safety upon receipt of the partial payment.
“We have had extensive discussions with Kiambu leaders led by the Majority Leader of the National Assembly and leaders in Nairobi. Governor Sakaja, West Lands, Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Limuru and Lari MPs, women MPs and Kiambu Senator have all called me several times to discuss the completion of this road. All things being equal, we should start work on the critical areas within the next four weeks,” he said.
Some of the roads mentioned include Zambezi, Chunga Mali/Tilisi, Gichini. He also noted that for Zambezi and Chunga Mali, the acquisition of land for the construction of a pond has not been completed.
He also revealed that the uncompleted works include service roads including the Kangemi flyover, Gitaru junction and the various other underpasses.
The latest admission comes hours after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned the country on Sunday that heavy rains would continue to hit parts of the country.
CS Murkomen also mentioned drains, street lights and footbridges as some of the works that are yet to be completed.
However, he confirmed that various leaders from Kiambu and Nairobi counties had called him and held discussions to complete the road.
“We have had extensive discussions with Kiambu leaders led by the Majority Leader of the National Assembly and Nairobi leaders. Governor Sakaja, West Lands, Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Limuru and Lari MPs, women MPs and Kiambu Senator have all called on me several times to discuss the completion of this road,” the CS said.
He also assured that if all goes well, work on the roads should resume in a month’s time.
In Greater Nairobi, where the rains started on Saturday night and part of Sunday morning and continued on Sunday evening, several roads were flooded, leaving motorists stranded.
From Saturday night, vehicles could be seen submerged on the country’s main highways.