Motorists decry poor state of Mlolongo-Katani road in Machakos

Motorists plying Mlolongo - Quarry - Katani road in Machakos County have expressed frustration over its poor state.

The motorists and residents of Katani, Syokimau, Ngelani and their environs have called for speedy intervention by the government to have the road fixed.

"This road is a total disaster, it's a nightmare to us locals who use it on a daily basis," Joseph Kamau told the Star on Saturday.

The road, which falls under the national government's mandate, is currently flooded as heavy rains continue to pound most parts of the country.

A spot check by the Star on Saturday confirmed that the road had deep potholes.

Dozens of trucks and heavy machinery ferrying construction material from quarries in Mlolongo phase 3, Katani, Ngelani and other areas had worsened the situaiton.

Some of the vehicles had developed mechanical problems and stalled in the middle of the road.

Motorists using smaller vehicles were facing most challenges.

The road which connects Mombasa Road to Kangundo Road was tamarcked less than five years ago, but is currently in a sorry state.

This has irked not only motorists but locals as well who questioned the quality of work done by the contractor.

The tender was awarded to a local contractor by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURRA).

Daniel Mwanza, a resident, attributed the road's current state to poor designs and workmanship.

"Mlolongo-Quarry-Link road junction is pathetic, this is as a result of one way drainage on the road," he said.

Mwanza said local leaders should push the national government to repair the road so as to avert the situation for users' relief.

Janet Odero said getting to her workplace in Nairobi City and back to her residence in Katani had become a nightmare.

Odero said the situation had been worsened by the ongoing rains which have caused flooding.

"We risk a lot as motorists who use this road. It's unfortunate though since we don't have any alternative," she said.

Odero said at times, it is not easy to know the sections with diper potholes once the road is flooded.

The trucks and heavy machinery that use the road daily while transporting construction materials have worsened the situation.

Most of the motorists who spoke to the Star said the road's poor state had exposed them to more expenses on their vehicles as they end up spending alot of money on repairs, maintenance and fuel.

"This road is dangerous to many users. It's in pathetic state despite the fact that it hasn't lasted for more than three years since it was tarmacked. Its sorry state exposes many lives to danger," a motorist said.

The road's state has equally made those who rely on boda boda operators for transport to spend more money.

The cost for a distance which would previously cost them Sh150 has doubled with some operators arging as high as Sh500 one way.

Most boda boda operators avoid the road citing high expenses on motorcycle repairs.

"We are suffering hence we urge the national government to intervene by repairing the road as soon as possible," Janet Mbula said.