Fourth and final ring road in Nairobi network is 93% done

The fourth and final ring road in the Nairobi network master plan is 93 per cent complete, a tour of the project by the Star has revealed.

The Sh17 billion Nairobi Western Bypass road project connects the Southern Bypass at Gitaru and the Northern Bypass at Ruaka.

This completes the fourth and final ring road in the Nairobi Ring Road Network Master plan, which also comprises the Eastern Bypass.

The main road is also complete while the contractor is putting the final touches on drainages.

Sources close to the contractor said the final touches are being put on drainages retaining walls and service roads.

“We anticipate finalising it in 35 months instead of the 39 months earlier planned,” the source, who requested anonymity as he is not allowed talk to the press, said.

The source further said the seven per cent is a work in progress.

The construction of the road, which starts in Gitaru and terminates at Ruaka, began on March 15, 2019, and was projected to be complete in 39 months.

It is being funded by the China Exim Bank and the Kenyan government. The contractor is China Road and Bridge Corporation.

The bypass transverses the two subcounties of Kabete and Kiambaa, both which are in Kiambu county.

It passes through several towns: Gitaru, Wangige, Ndenderu and Ruaka.

The project works include the construction of a dual carriageway with a length of 15.3km and approximately 17.31km of service roads.

It also involves the construction of seven grade interchanges at Gitaru, Lower Kabete, Wangige, Kihara, Ndenderu, Rumenye and Ruaka.

Ten overpasses and five underpasses will also be constructed.

Box culverts and stormwater drainage systems will be installed at designated areas.

The project is a fixed sum contract with a defined scope, meaning the contract has limitations for additional works.

Those who had encroached on road reserves voluntarily moved.

The fence for Kanyariri Primary School was within the reserve but CRBC realigned it before putting up a perimeter wall for the institution as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Near the school, a footbridge has been constructed and is set to be complete during the month to help school children cross the road safely.

Samuel Njenga, a boda boda rider, is happy that the new project has helped open up the area that was previously gridlocked.

“Traffic jams, as well as accidents, have significantly reduced,” Njenga, who has been doing his trade in the area for three years, said.

At Karura Kanyunyu, the contractor was busy laying graded crushed stone on the service lane.

Here, a section of landowners has allowed the contractor to work on the project as they await the National Land Commission to compensate them for their parcels of land and their property.

Once the project is complete, the contractor will have one year period defects liability.

 

(edited by Amol Awuor)

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