• Murkomen said the roads flood because their outfall drains have not been completed.
• He went on to say that several other roads around the same area remain incomplete due to various reasons.
Image: FILE
Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has explained why the James Gichuru to Rironi area underpasses floods often, whenever it rains.
In a statement responding to a question raised by lawyer Paul Muite on X, Murkomen said the roads flood because their outfall drains have not been completed.
He went on to say that several other roads around the same area remain incomplete due to various reasons.
"James Gichuru to Rironi underpasses do flood because their respective outfall drains have not been completed. This includes Zambezi, Chunga Mali/ Tilisi, and Gichini. For Zambezi & Chunga Mali the acquisition of land to construct a pond is not done.
"Unfinished work includes service roads, Kangemi overpass, Gitaru interchange, the various other underpasses. Outfall drains also plus street lights and footbridges," the CS said.
Murkomen noted that the James Guchuri-Rironi road also has an active development contract with a huge pending bill, which is the main reason it remains incomplete.
He said the contractor is waiting for payment to resume and complete the remaining work.
The CS said unfinished roads all over the country have a cumulative pending bill of Sh165 billion and the law does not allocate road maintenance funds to roads under construction.
"Under the law, a road with an active development contract can’t be allocated maintenance funds.
"Because of the accidents and incidences on that road we have requested partial budgetary support from the treasury and have negotiated with the contractor to, upon receiving the partial payment, resume site and complete the most critical sections for the sake of safety," Murkomen said.
He added that he has held discussions with the leadership of the Nairobi and Kiambu counties over the matter.
Murkomen said they expect works to commence on the affected road within the next four weeks.
"We have held extensive discussions with the leaders of Kiambu led by the Majority Leader National Assembly and Nairobi leaders. Governor Sakaja, MPs West Lands, Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Limuru and Lari, Women Rep and Senator Kiambu have all called on me severally to discuss the completion of that road," he said
This comes even as floods wreak havoc across city roads and adjacent counties.
Over the weekend, vehicles got stuck in flooded waters due to flooding.
Several people have also been reported missing.