President William Ruto on Wednesday, December 7, addressed the faulty pipes on the lower deck of the Nairobi Expressway- assuring Kenyans that the mess would be fixed by January 2023.
Speaking during the ground-breaking for the Mavoko Affordable Housing Project, Machakos County, Ruto noted that he took action after uproar by residents within the county.
The president noted that the initiative would be supported by the completion of the Northern Collector Tunnel which would boost the supply of water to Nairobi and 13 satellite towns namely Mavoko Municipality, Tala-Kangundo, Kikuyu, Ruiru-Juja, Kiambu, Karuri, Githunguri, Ngong Township, Ongata Rongai, Thika, Gatundu, Limuru and Lari.
"The Machakos residents have informed me that due to the construction of the Nairobi Expressway, there were a number of faulty pipes that were damaged.
"I assure you before January they will be fixed. Also, the northern collector tunnel will be completed to boost the water that will be available here," he stated.
In addition, the head of state pointed out to the glaring situation in Mavoko, adding that newly-built houses in a nearby estate were not occupied due to lack of water.
"There is an estate nearby that people have not moved in because of water issues. I want to assure you that early next year, we will sort out the water challenges," he noted.
While addressing the affordable housing project, Ruto affirmed that the Mavoko residents, and in particular women, would be prioritised in construction labour, and would be granted 40 percent of Ksh20 billion.
"It will be the first project that will give opportunities to women workers. The contractor has been asked under the agreement we have via UN-Habitat, to give the opportunity to women who are artisans, electricians, plumbers, so that we begin to profile and see that what men can do, women can do better," Ruto affirmed.
The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) deputy director of corporate communications, Samwel Kumba, had affirmed that Moja Expressway would cover all the damages on the lower roads at their own cost.
This included the damage on Mombasa road and along Waiyaki Way.
"The sections of the Mombasa road were damaged directly by the construction of the expressway. According to the contractual obligations, they are tasked with repairing the damages. "
"We have given them until the end of the year to complete the repairs. This means that along the expressway, any bit that Moja expressway damaged will be reinstated by them at their own cost," he previously spoke to Kenyans.co.ke
