President Uhuru Kenyatta wants the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to expedite the development of roads in Nairobi County and service delivery to residents.
Kenyatta issued the orders on Wednesday, February 10, while addressing government officials and residents at the National Cargo Deconsolidation Centre, Nairobi, where he inspected the construction of government warehouses.
The President lauded NMS boss, General Mohamed Badi, for changing the face of Nairobi County. However, he ordered Badi to focus on building more roads in the informal markets. The head of state lamented that the roads were inaccessible.
Badi's agency has constructed and refurbished over 17 roads in the county since February 2020 when former Nairobi Governor Miek Sonko signed the deed of transfer and handed over health, transport, planning and public works to the National Government.
NMS also constructed pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes along major roads in CBD.
Kenyatta also acknowledged the improved working relationship between the NMS and Nairobi County leadership under Acting Governor Benson Mutura and Deputy Governor Anne Kananu Mwenda. He took a swipe at Sonko and accused him of poor leadership.
"Since these two people started working together we have seen a lot of improvement. Roads are now better and my only hope is that the two will transform this county and make it even better.
"The other (Sonko) leader's work was only to insult me, which I don’t care about at all. I will strive to ensure the county is upgraded," Kenyatta said.
The President has been keen on developing the transport system in Nairobi to curb the traffic menace. Other than the NMS, Kenyatta has also empowered the Kenya Railways Authority which upgraded the railway system and purchased new commuter trains.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) also partnered to construct the 65 billion, 27 kilometre road Nairobi Expressway. The government is also constructing the Western by-pass, from Kikuyu to the CBD.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) is also overseeing the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transport system (BRT). It released a schedule that contained the time and routes BRT buses will ferry commuters to and from the Central Business District (CBD) to Nairobi estates.
President Uhuru congratulates Badi on the recent developments in Nairobi. pic.twitter.com/siGCI5NxNk
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) February 11, 2021
Nearly 12 BRT buses were unveiled to ply five routes within Nairobi County. These are Ndovu Line, Simba Line, Chui Line, Kifaru Line and Nyati Line. Ndovu Line starts at Kangemi to Imara Daima. Simba line runs from Bomas of Kenya through Blue Sky/TMall (Umoja) to Nairobi CBD then passes through Thika Road to Ruiru.
Chui Line starts at Njiru (Kasarani) to Showground (Kibera) and passes through Nairobi CBD. Kifaru Line serves commuters from Mamam Lucy, passes through Donholm, CBD, TMall, Bomas, Karen, to Kikuyu. Nyati Line links Ridgeways (Kiambu Road), Balozi (Allsops) to Imara Daima estate.
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