Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja took a proactive stance on the current state of the city’s road infrastructure. Amidst mounting concerns over deteriorating road conditions, particularly with the onset of the rainy season, Governor Sakaja made it clear that his administration had limited jurisdiction and resources to tackle the problem effectively. His comments reflect the complexity of managing road maintenance in a city where responsibilities are split between the county and national governments.
Sakaja began by highlighting the dual challenge of jurisdiction and financing when it comes to Nairobi’s major roads. He explained that many of the city’s significant thoroughfares such as Jogoo Road, Uhuru Highway, Arwings Kodhek, and Gitanga Road are classified as national roads under the purview of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). These roads, Sakaja noted, fall outside the county government’s budgetary reach, leaving his administration powerless in terms of maintenance due to financial constraints.
The governor was quick to point out the disparity in resources available to national and county governments when it comes to road repairs. “Most roads in Nairobi are either under KeNHA or KURA,” Sakaja said. “I don’t have the financial capacity to maintain these roads. The funds available to the county government are limited, and the road maintenance levy, which collects money from every user of petroleum products, is not allocated to counties but to the national government.”
Sakaja’s comments underscored a significant issue in the management of Nairobi’s infrastructure. According to him, the national government controls the bulk of the funds designated for road maintenance, leading to delays and poor conditions on major roads that affect the daily lives of Nairobians. He drew attention to the Council of Governors’ ongoing legal battle to revert the Road Maintenance Levy Fund to the counties, asserting that the national government’s control over these funds hampers effective road maintenance at the local level.
He cited the example of Jogoo Road, a critical arterial route connecting eastern and western Nairobi, which has been plagued by potholes and dilapidation. “Jogoo Road is a national road; I can’t repair it with county funds,” Sakaja explained. “It’s a major road that affects multiple constituencies, and since MPs benefit from the Road Maintenance Levy, they should be responsible for its upkeep. But because it crosses several constituencies, there’s no single MP taking full responsibility.”
The governor also spoke about the role of MPs in this issue, criticizing the way the Road Maintenance Levy Fund is currently managed. According to Sakaja, MPs are supposed to repair roads within their constituencies using the funds collected, but because major roads like Jogoo Road and Uhuru Highway span across multiple constituencies, the resources are spread thin and inefficiently used. “No one is going to fix Jogoo Road or Uhuru Highway because it’s everyone’s responsibility and no one’s responsibility,” he said, emphasizing the need for cooperation between national and county governments.
Despite his limitations, Sakaja remained committed to improving Nairobi’s road infrastructure. He revealed that the national government had disbursed Ksh. 5 billion to repair critical roads in the CBD, including Jogoo Road and Soweto Road in Kayole, with tenders already issued for repairs under KURA. The governor noted that these efforts were part of a broader strategy to address the city’s infrastructural challenges in partnership with the national government. “We are making strides to get the necessary resources to repair these roads and ensure they are completed within the promised time frame,” he said.
Sakaja also admitted that some roads under his administration’s management were still in poor condition due to past decisions to lay tarmac over black cotton soil, leading to quick deterioration. “We agreed to do full reconstruction on roads like Chania Avenue, Kindaruma, and Wood Avenue,” he said. “This decision was made to ensure durability and avoid repeating the same mistakes.” The governor expressed confidence that this comprehensive approach would prevent further breakdowns and ensure roads remain in better condition over the long term.
In conclusion, while Governor Sakaja absolved himself of blame for the current state of Nairobi’s roads, he also took a responsible stance, promising to tackle the issue within the limits of his administration’s capacity. His call for a more cooperative approach between the national and county governments is seen as crucial in addressing the infrastructural challenges facing Nairobi. As the city continues to grow, Sakaja’s administration is likely to face increased pressure to find sustainable solutions for maintaining its roads and ensuring the safety and convenience of Nairobians.
This article highlights the complexity of managing road infrastructure in Nairobi and the need for greater cooperation between the national and county governments to address these challenges effectively.
