The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has called for accountability from operators of the Nairobi Expressway, claiming that the project has contributed to the devastating floods the country’s capital is experiencing.
In a statement on Sunday, March 8, the MAK claimed that before the construction of the mega project along the Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway, the transport corridors did not experience recurrent flooding as it does now.
The association claims that the construction of the expressway interfered with the many drainage channels across the corridor, contributing to the major traffic disruptions along the ever-busy corridor during the rainy season.
The MAK further noted that the road also collects large volumes of water, which are then directed to the blocked lower deck section, overwhelming the drainage channels.
“Before the expressway project, these highways did not experience the persistent flooding now witnessed whenever it rains. Today, even a few hours of rainfall spells disaster for motorists using the lower deck,” the statement read.
“Since the expressway is operated as a private toll enterprise under a concession by the China Road and Bridge Corporation in partnership with the Government of Kenya, MAK demands that its operators take responsibility for impacts associated with the project,” the statement read.
Furthermore, MAK has called for legal action against engineers and planners who approved infrastructural projects in the county that are contributing to the drainage issues on some key roads.
According to the association, the engineers and planners have repeatedly approved recarpeting works in the city, which have led to the sealing of vital drainage vents that historically allowed rainwater to flow into underground channels.
Among roads affected by this, according to MAK, are Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, River Road, Kirinyaga Road, Sheikh Karume Road, Luthuli Avenue, Ronald Ngala Street, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kimathi Street, and Muindi Mbingu Street.
MAK has stated that the National Government, in collaboration with the county government, should ensure that all motorists whose vehicles were destroyed during the downpour this weekend receive compensation.
“The Nairobi City County Government and the national government must immediately audit and reopen all blocked drainage systems across Nairobi’s road network. Engineers and planners who approved defective roadworks that sealed drainage vents must be held personally accountable,” MAK stated.
“Nairobi was once proudly known as the ‘City in the Sun.’ Today, it risks becoming a city overwhelmed by concrete, poor planning, and preventable flooding disasters. This must not continue,” it added.
Several parts of Kenya are grappling with flooding caused by the ongoing heavy rains, which have led to widespread destruction of property and loss of life, particularly in Nairobi.
In a statement on Saturday, March 7, the National Police Service noted that the flooding has also resulted in displacement, road closures, and destruction of property.