City Hall gets Sh415m to rehabilitate roads in capital

A road under construction in Nairobi. FILEPHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

City Hall has received more than Sh415 million in a conditional grant to rehabilitate roads in Nairobi.

The grant from the Kenya Roads Board is part of the funds that are released to counties annually.

The 2018 County Allocation of Revenue and the 2012 Public Finance Management Acts mandate the State agency to release funds to counties governments.

For Nairobi, the money was to be released in the financial year that ended on June 30 but it delayed because the devolved government had not complied with the requirements.

“The funds are to be accounted for in accordance with the requirements of the KRB Act. You are required to use the funds in line with the 2018/19 approved financial year work plan submitted to the board,” KRB Executive Director, Jacob Ruwa, said in a letter to Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.

The county boss said his administration would dedicate the cash to the maintenance of roads and building of feeder roads in the 85 wards.

Some of the roads being upgraded include Salim in Dagoreti, Karen Rich, Likoni link, Jadong, Musimbi and Ngarara.

The others are Gathuru in Kawangware, Thi’ongo in Mountain View, Mama Wahu in Ngando and Daraja Road.

“The devolved unit will collaborate with national government agencies to ensure the roads are upgraded. Kimoondo Road, which links Kware Ward with Pipeline Estate is almost complete. The same applies to Kobil-Kware Road,” Governor Sonko said.

In its 2018/19 Public Roads Programme, the agency said the government requires Sh1.5 billion to rehabilitate and upgrade Nairobi’s 609.79-kilometre road network.

Mr Ruwa said the projects would be financed by national government, though the county government would be expected to meet 15 per cent of the cost.

Out of the 3, 600 kilometres of the road network under the county government, only 50 per cent is tarmacked. Some 20 per cent is gravelled while the remaining 30 per cent, earth.

In April, City Hall set aside Sh330 million towards the Nairobi Regeneration Programme, a venture being implemented by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

The county government is to contribute Sh900 million, with Kura bringing in some Sh1.97 billion.

The programme, which covers 79.4 kilometres of 38 roads in Eastlands and the city centre, is 95 per cent complete.

Some of the roads completed are Ambira, Sakwa, Manyanja, Kayole Spine, Maasai, Airport North, Utawala, Hamza, Rabai, Nile, Bumbani, Heshima, Buru Buru Farmers and Lunga Lunga.