In the wake of the planned expansion of Kiambu Road, motorists have now issued fresh demands to the government regarding the multi-billion-shilling road project.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 11, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) called on the Ministry of Transport to conduct a genuine feasibility study before commencing the project.
The motorists also demanded a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, supported by a socio-economic audit and public engagement forum.
In their statement, the motorists warned President William Ruto's administration against using the road project as a campaign tool to lobby for the Head of State's re-election in 2027.
"It should not be a rushed political report. Not a pre-election spectacle. Election seasons usually come with cosmetic promises, fresh paint on neglected roads, and quick wins for political optics," said the motorists.
"Kiambu Road have a right to understand what will be taken, what will be relocated, and what impact will follow them for decades," they added.
While commending the government on the planned project, the Association warned that such projects come with real social, economic, and environmental consequences that must be thoroughly analysed before the road construction.
"What Kiambu Road truly needs isn’t asphalt expansion. It needs order. It needs a modern public transport system that replaces the chaos of matatus with clean, predictable buses running on dedicated lanes," the Association noted.
The demands by the motorists come just hours after Ruto's cabinet approved the dualling of the 23.5-kilometre Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi road in a bid to ease traffic congestion and improve mobility between Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
According to a cabinet dispatch released on Tuesday, the project will expand the existing two-lane highway into a dual carriageway, complete with bypasses, loops, and access roads designed to increase capacity and reduce travel times.
Cabinet also noted that the upgraded road will feature non-motorised transport lanes and commuter facilities to enhance safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernise Nairobi’s metropolitan transport network in line with Kenya Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure and mobility.
