Nairobi road projects on the line as Covid -19 bites

The completion of some road projects within Nairobi could be stopped due to lack of materials even as government gives more directives to contain coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) said most of the quarries have been shut as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kura communications manager John Cheboi told the star on phone that their work is going down.

“Logistical issues are affecting the contractors and supervisory teams. There is no money,“ he said.

He said the local contractors are the ones feeling the pinch the most.“They cannot maintain their staff,” Cheboi said.

As mentioned by Cheboi, road works from Dagoreti Corner to Karen have been affected.  "We also have some roads undergoing regular maintenance such as Kaptagat road,” he said.

However, KURA said that repair works within Nairobi Central Business District and other parts of the city were going on as the number of workers needed are few.

He said most of the missing links such as Likoni road have been completed.

Currently, works are underway to on the Upperhill-Mbagathi way link aimed at reducing traffic jam in Upper Hill. Final touches are being done to complete the walkways.

Also work is in progress along Bogani Road, Off Langata South Road in Karen, hence the road will experience traffic interruption from March 25 to April 25 , 2020

”Some of the road projects are still going on but most quarries have been closed complicating matters. Also plants for tarmac have also been closed,” Cheboi noted.

Chinese firms that was still working on Outering road are still fine though they have finished.

Some of the road projects in Nairobi are substantially complete. “ If at all we are going to have a total lockdown, it will be difficult to do anything due to lack of materials ,’ Cheboi said

To make sure staff ad contractors are safe while working on the roads KURA has distributed guidelines and preventive measures against Covid-19.

According to the measures, KURA has regulated meetings and only recommended the ‘needed participants’ should attend.“All attendees should be at least two metres apart from each other,” reads the guidelines.