The government on Monday, October 11, began demolitions within Mukuru kwa Njenga slum and its adjacent areas to pave way for the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.
Nairobi Regional Commissioner, James Kianda affirmed that those residing along the slum were issued a notice beforehand to vacate the premises.
He added that the demolitions would allow the expansion of Catherine Ndereba road, which would connect the expressway to Industrial Area, thereby boosting businesses within the slum.
"This road will act as an exit from the Expressway at a link road that is being constructed around City Cabanas junction. Businesses that are situated along the road, like Jua Kali are expected to pick up," Kianda stated.
The Nairobi regional commissioner also pointed out that the government shelved plans to put up a railway station along the slum as it could not be accessed.
"The road will, however, enable residents access amenities like schools and hospitals," Kianda reiterated.
He urged the residents along the slum to cooperate with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and security officers who act as the supervisors of the demolitions.
Kianda had issued a notice dated Friday, October 8, asking residents along the slum to vacate the premises as their structures had been earmarked for demolition.
He affirmed that the new road passing through Mukuru kwa Njenga slum would serve as an emergency route for residents during various incidents.
"We are earmarking public utilities that are going to be linked to this road some of those public utilities are already in existence and others could not be implemented because of the conditions that we have been experiencing within Mukuru Kwa Njenga."
"Mukuru is prone to emergencies. So if an emergency were to occur this is going to be the first exit after the airport that we are going to have and it is going to provide services to the Expressway," he stated.
The expressway is set to be fully operational in June 2022, a timeline that has been adjusted multiple times by the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA).
Motorists planning to use the road are expected to pay between Ksh100 and Ksh1550 in toll charges depending on the size of the car as well as the distance covered.
