Two political leaders in Nyali now want the announced repair works by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to employ residents for the casual jobs that would available at the site for six months.
Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe and her Ziwa la Ng’ombe counterpart Hamisi Nyota said the works should benefit youths through jobs.
AAK Mombasa branch chair Dancan Odhiambo at the
site / BRIAN OTIENO
The section of Links Road that becomes impassable
when it rains / BRIAN OTIENO
Nyali’s dilapidated Links Road at the Quickmart section has
become a political hot potato as politicians try to outmuscle each other over
the road.
Two political leaders in Nyali now want the announced repair
works by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to employ residents for the casual
jobs that would available at the site for six months.
Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe and her Ziwa la Ng’ombe
counterpart Hamisi Nyota said the works should benefit youths through jobs.
“We don’t expect Kura to come with people from other parts
of the county to do even the most casual of works here. We are the ones who
have suffered and our youth should benefit from those casual jobs,” Kushe told
the Star on Wednesday.
She said those who have suffered physical injuries because
of the poor state of the roads should be compensated by Kura.
“We have a woman who is now blind in one eye because of the
road. Her injury could have been avoided by for the negligence of a government
entity,” she said.
Fatma Osman, a Nyali resident, in May told a public meeting
between Kura, the Mombasa county government, Nyali NG-CDF office and the Nyali
residents that she was hit in the eye by something after the tuktuk she was
riding in hit a pothole that could not be seen in the floods.
“We pay taxes, we want services. We are tired of this. I
have lost an eye. It will never see again and I’m the only person working in my
family,” Osman said.
On Wednesday, Nyota, in whose ward the road repair works
will be done, said Ziwa la Ng’ombe youths have to be empowered through the
resources in their neighbourhoods.
“If we see people from other parts of the country and our
youth are not taken to work there, there will be problems,” he said.
Kura on Monday announced that the less than about 250-metre
section will be closed for repair starting August 1 to January 30, 2026.
This is after uproar from motorists, architects, commuters
and residents of Nyali who said the road has been dilapidated for over three
years, with rainy seasons causing flooding in the neighbouring houses.
Architectural Association of Kenya Mombasa branch chairman
Dancan Odhiambo said the road repairs are long overdue.
He said the county government should also check on how they
approve building construction saying lack of follow up caused the problem at
the Quickmart section of the links road in the first place.
“As an architect, a simple look at the section reveals many
flaws in the permission given to build next to the road,” Odhiambo said.
He noted the section of the Links Road set for repair is too
short to warrant a six-month closure, which will affect movement and business.
He said the road is lower than the sea level and that should
be taken into consideration when repairing.
“The road closure is necessary to facilitate construction
works to provide a lasting solution to the regular flooding and
drainage challenges that usually affect this section of the road,” Kura said in
a public notice.
“Great. We are waiting for you guys. We have suffered with
that road. It’s now almost three years with no repair,” King Wekoye, a
resident, told Kura on their Facebook Page.
“This will be no more. Thank you for your patience and
cooperation,” Kura replied.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali said the repair should not be
interfered with by any politician.
He specifically called on Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, with
whom they have been at loggerheads over the matter, not to interfere.
“The governor should not come and stop the works because of
political wars. The other day he said I should do my work and ask for money. I
had done that work already and Sh64 million had been allocated for the works,”
Ali said.
Mombasa transport executive Dan Manyala called on the
contractor to expedite the works.
“That road is key for the economy of Mombasa given it links
tourist areas, business and residential areas of many people. Any delays will
make the suffering worse,” Manyala said.
He called on all stakeholders to cooperate and ensure the
road works are done without any interference.
Communications expert Jacob Elkana, who is eying the Nyali
MP seat, said progress is possible when people speak and follow up on issues.
“Let’s keep pushing for better infrastructure in Nyali,” he
said.
