The iconic Kahama hotel has been earmarked for demolition as part of the government's plan to construct a new public transport terminal in Nairobi's Globe Roundabout area.
According to a report by Business Daily, five landowners are set to lose their prime acres of land to the State in a bid to allow for the construction of the Globe roundabout public transport terminal.
This will see the family of the late billionaire businessman James Mwangi Kirung'o lose the prime Kahama hotel which was established in the 1980s. The hotel was previously known as Kenya International hotel.
Further, part of the land in Grogan area in Nairobi will also be acquired.
The reports were confirmed by National Lands Commission (NLC) chair Gershom Otachi who noted that the move would allow the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to begin the construction plans. He also added that the landowners would be compensated by the state.
The Globe roundabout bus terminus is part of NMS plans to ease traffic congestion within the city. Other termini include Green park, Muthurwa, Fig Tree, Desai, Park road, Workshop road, and Bunyala road.
The Green park terminus, which has been completed, is set to be the pickup point for public service vehicles (PSVs) plying the routes along Ngong road and Lang'ata road.
Currently, NMS has conducted two test runs within the terminus in preparations for its launch.
NMS also plans to construct pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes along various streets in Nairobi.
Dubbed as the non-motorised transport programme, it seeks to encourage Kenyans to opt for the pathways instead of the normal public transport services.
"The non-motorised transport programme will not only offer safety to pedestrians and cyclists but also contribute to decongestion on the roads. The grey ones are meant for pedestrians while the red are for cycling,” NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi stated.
