Nairobi’s road network is set for a significant transformation starting next year, Governor Johnson Sakaja has revealed. In a bold infrastructural push, the county government has secured commitments from the national government and development partners to restore and upgrade major city roads.
Sakaja recently embarked on joint inspections with Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir to assess the city’s crumbling roadways. The pair toured key arteries, including Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road, and Waiyaki Way, to identify areas in urgent need of repair. The governor expressed confidence that Nairobi residents would see visible changes beginning early next year.
“We recently conducted a joint tour of the roads with Roads CS Davis Chirchir to get them restored. We toured Uhuru Highway, Waiyaki Way, and Mombasa Road to ensure that the undercarriage is restored for usage by the public,” Sakaja said. “I promise you that come next year, from the start, there will be a remarked difference [in the city’s infrastructure].”
Development Partners Step In
In addition to local collaboration, Sakaja announced progress on the stalled Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, a long-awaited initiative aimed at easing Nairobi’s chronic traffic congestion. Development partners, including the European Investment Bank, the EU, and the French Development Agency, have pledged €320 million (approximately KSh 43.4 billion) to fund Phase Three of the project.
This phase of the BRT line is planned to run from Dandora through the Central Business District (CBD) to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), with eventual expansion to Ngong’. The injection of funds revives hopes for a more efficient public transport system, which has faced delays and financial hurdles.
“I received the delegation for the European Investment Bank, the EU, and the French Development Agency, who have promised €320 million for Phase Three of the BRT,” said Sakaja. “This is a much-needed boost to our efforts to transform mobility in Nairobi.”
Challenges Amid Public Outcry
The governor’s announcement comes as Nairobi residents voice frustration over deteriorating road conditions exacerbated by the recent rains. From flooded streets to gaping potholes, the city’s roads have become perilous for motorists and pedestrians alike. Residents in areas such as Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Upper Hill have complained of neglect, while feeder roads and market access routes remain in deplorable states.
Jogoo Road, a key commuter corridor, has seen residents resort to filling potholes themselves, a stark testament to their dissatisfaction with county efforts. Flooding caused by clogged drainage systems has turned sections of roads into impassable pools, aggravating mobility challenges and heightening safety risks.
Motorists, too, have lamented the toll on their vehicles from navigating Nairobi’s pothole-ridden roads, with some blaming Sakaja’s administration for “sleeping on the job.” However, the county government has deflected criticism, citing limitations in funding and jurisdiction over certain road projects.
A Path Forward
While the planned restoration of major roads and progress on the BRT project are welcome news, critics argue that the governor’s vision must extend to Nairobi’s neglected feeder roads and informal settlements. Many of these areas serve as lifelines for small businesses and daily commuters but have received minimal attention despite their significance.
Sakaja’s promise of change sets high expectations for his administration. As Nairobi gears up for a much-needed infrastructural overhaul, residents will be keenly watching for tangible improvements, especially as frustrations over past delays and unmet promises linger.
The coming months will be critical for the governor to turn pledges into progress and regain the trust of a city eager for solutions to its perennial transport and infrastructure woes. Whether Sakaja’s administration can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but the stakes have never been higher for the capital’s roads and its people.
