Africa-Press – Kenya. The renaming of Dik-Dik road to Francis Atwoli Road at an event presided by Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu saw the unfolding unexpected events.
The road sign has so far been uprooted and torched by unknown individuals whose identities are yet to be established despite the presence of CCTV cameras installed to watch the road sign.
Renaming of the road in one of Nairobi’s high-end estates has also sparked debate on social media on whether or not the COTU Secretary General deserved to be immortalized.
However, naming roads after prominent people is not a new spectacle and has been done over the years to honor individuals for their individual attributes and their contributions to the country.
TAt independence, the Nairobi City Council had resolved not to name roads after living individuals although the exception would be made for powerful political leaders such as the Mois and the Kenyatttas.
However, there are roads that you may have in Nairobi and could hardly connect it to a prominent individual. Kenyans.co.ke gathered a few roads which are named after well-accomplished individuals even though they are less known.
Wabera Street
The street is named after David Dabasso Wabera, the first African District Commissioner for Isiolo.
Wabera died at a young age after he gunned down during the shifta when fighting against Somali militants who wanted to take over the country from Isiolo upwards. Had this happened, Kenya, as we know it would have been smaller in size was it not for him.
David Osieli Road
This road in Parklands, Nairobi, was named after David Osieli. He was a renowned actor who played Ambrose in the popular film ‘West of Zanzibar’, a movie about a group of young men who left Zanzibar for Mombasa to engage in the ivory trade.
Osieli was also cast in the movie ‘Where No Vultures Fly’.
Argwings Kodhek Road
Argwings Kodhek was the first East African to graduate with a degree in Law. He opened the first Kenyan private law firm in 1957
He trained as a teacher at Makerere College before earning a government scholarship to study social sciences at the University of Cardiff. His passion for law led to him losing his scholarship and went to study law at the University of St. Andrews. He was admitted to Lincoln Inn where he acquired his degree.
His impeccable debating skills and mastery of the Queen’s language has often been credited for the embrace of the region among members of his Luo community.
Kodhek died in 1969 through a road accident in Hurlingham area along the road now named after him. His death has been described by some historians as an assassination.
Naushad Merali Drive
Naushad is the owner of Sameer Group, a conglomerate that deals with financial services, agriculture and information technology.
Merali co-founded Kencell alongside French media giant Vivendi. He served as the chairman and was a major shareholder at Bharti Airtel. In 2014, he sold his shares and stepped down from the board.
Merali is a holder of the Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear. He is a member of the Export Promotion Council, the National Investment Council, the World Economic Forum, and The Conference Board in New York.
Dennis Pritt Road
Although not a naturalised Kenya, Dennis Pritt represented Jomo Kenyatta in court when he was accused of leading the Mau Mau. The otherwise very expensive lawyer represented Jomo Kenyatta and other members of the Kapenguria Six in court pro-bono – without charge.
The British barrister was known for representing people oppressed by those in power.
As gratitude, Caledonia Road that runs from State House Road to Silver Oak Kindergarten was named after the lawyer. It is on this road that Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s private residence was located – and has since been past on to his son – current President Uhuru Kenyatta.
His other clients, Julius Nyerere and Ho Chi Minh went on to become presidents.
