Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday, December 1, brought an illegal roadblock to the attention of Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Boss Mohammed Badi.
The legislator disclosed that the road leading up to Nairobi Arboretum had a barrier installed to screen road users by a local hotel.
"The Nairobi Arboretum is a public space that many Nairobians enjoy. The road leading up to it is also a public road. A private entity has put up a barrier on this public road where members of the public are screened," he stated.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a representative from Sakaja's office assured that the senator had reached the NMS Boss who is in charge of county transport, county planning and development, and public works who were following up on the matter.
The legislator added that they were applying pressure on Badi and the hotel to remove the roadblocks.
"They take it down by themselves today and save us the resources we would have to use to enforce unfettered access to the arboretum," he directed.
In 2014, the county assembly moved a motion to remove barriers erected on public roads by the Runda Residents Association
"Runda Residents Association and Runda Water Ltd have been demanding gate passes, and charging for them and for road use, and erecting barriers preventing some vehicles from accessing public roads in Runda Estate, which is a clear breach of the Constitution.
This Assembly resolves that the County Government remove or order the removal of all the barriers erected on public roads by the Runda Residents Association and illegal levy of charges by the said Association and Runda Water Ltd with immediate effect," the motion by MCA Kamau Thuo read in part.
Under Article 186 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya, only the County Government can impose taxes in the city as it covers roads, street lighting, electricity, water and sanitation provision.
The functions have since been moved to the Nairobi Metropolitan services (NMS) that now oversees the road infrastructure in the county.
