Nairobi City may, after all, not lose its green allure after contractors of the famed Nairobi Expressway began planting wall creepers across the 27km stretch.
A video clip obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, showed that the contractor had began planting the wall creepers on select pillars along Mombasa Road.
All the pillars along the Expressway have already been numbered for the exercise expected to conclude in March 2022.
According to David Adeoye, a renowned Agribusiness Expert in Nairobi, the contractor has employed a modern agricultural process known as aquaponic vertical farming to cover the highway. It can also be referred to as Soilless or hydroponic farming.
Adeoye reckoned that the new development would bar graffiti artists and politicians across the city from plastering posters along the highway while enhancing the elevated highway's beauty.
"The pillar only acts as a support to the structure. The plants will offer better scenery that will attract users out of beauty.
"The plants will also bar people from writing on the pillars as well as politicians and traders from plastering posters, among others," he noted.
On the flipside, the expert cautioned that if the plants' roots get in contact with the concrete pillar, "may end up cracking but it's rare".
Since October, graffiti artists had already invaded the Nairobi Expressway with fears that once the election campaign period hits its peak, the entire project would be defaced.
The graffiti, some of which are still up to date, contained comic messages such as one directed to President Uhuru Kenyatta reading 'Bazenga toa curfew' which means 'Boss lift the curfew' in 2021.
Other messages include 'Olunga apewe sifa' which means 'Olunga should receive praises' and 'Mo Salah karibu 254, hakuna Matata' which translates to 'Welcome to Kenya Mo Salah, there is no trouble'.
In 2017, Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) unveiled new punitive measures for individuals caught defacing bridges and flyovers as well as government projects.
KeNHA pegged the fine at Ksh85,000 per individual caught bridging the directive including those who plaster unauthorised graffiti and posters on road rails.
The construction of the Nairobi Expressway, which is valued at Ksh65 billion, is set to be finalised in March 2022.
Below is the video:
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