Residents up in arms as jams worsen
What you need to know:
- Residents travelling from Mombasa Island to Magongo, Changamwe, Migadini, Jomvu, Mikindani and Port Reitz said they had been arriving home past midnight, especially in the past two weeks, while those catching flights at the Moi International Airport sometimes missed them.
- Mr Twalib told the meeting that all trucks parked on road reserves on the highway would be impounded while the traffic bumps at Bangladesh would be replaced to reduce their height.
Motorists using the Mombasa-Miritini road say they are spending more than six hours on a 10km stretch due to perennial traffic jams.
Speaking at a meeting with Jomvu MP Badi Twalib yesterday, frustrated residents accused the police of failing to control traffic.
The Kenya National Highways Authority, meanwhile, said yesterday it would start making the Mombasa-Mariakani highway a dual carriageway next year.
Residents travelling from Mombasa Island to Magongo, Changamwe, Migadini, Jomvu, Mikindani and Port Reitz said they had been arriving home past midnight, especially in the past two weeks, while those catching flights at the Moi International Airport sometimes missed them.
The residents said matatus had raised fares. “We are paying Sh200 to get to Mikindani while the fare to Magongo and Changamwe is Sh100,” said Mikindani resident Alfred Sigo.
“In the past two weeks, passengers have been spending the night in matatus at Makupa causeway” said Miritini Ward representative Swaleh Baya.
Mr Twalib told the meeting that all trucks parked on road reserves on the highway would be impounded while the traffic bumps at Bangladesh would be replaced to reduce their height.
Dozens of trucks are parked on road reserves on the way to the port and in Jomvu, Miritini.
Traffic police officers are overwhelmed. “There is nothing we can do. As we speak, the traffic jam is past (the) Mariakani weighbridge,” said an officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Mombasa Traffic Commander Martin Kariuki denied police were to blame, saying officers sometimes worked up to 2am.
Matatu Owners Association vice-chairman Ali Salim Bates accused the national government of laxity in enforcing traffic laws.
Recently, the government signed a Sh10.4 billion loan with the Africa Development Bank to expand the road and that going to the airport.
The agency’s corporate affairs manager, Mr Charles Njogu, said construction will start with the Jomvu-Mombasa section.
He said discussions were going on between the government and an institution from Germany to fund the Jomvu-Mariakani section.
