Hundreds of residents from Kasarani area, Nairobi, on Monday morning held a protest over the poor state of the Mwiki-Kasarani road.
It is reported that the demonstrations began as early 6:00 am with sections of the dilapidated road being barricaded with building blocks and burning tyres.
Rowdy youth closed the road from Maternity to Maji Mazuri as they exposed the poor state of infrastructure in the area.
Avoid Mwiki-kasarani Rd. Planned strike ongoing to complain about the poor roads.
@Ma3Route pic.twitter.com/FXFex7DE5i— Evelynn kanya (@evelynn_kanya) December 9, 2019
08:15 Kasarani – Mwiki Residents have lit Bonfires, reason being impassable roads and thy want be listened, so travellers be care. . pic.twitter.com/kXmWFIlNoB via @JacobAbere
— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 9, 2019
Residents heading to work had to use other alternatives as matatus plying the route remained parked by the roadside.
It is said that the area has been experiencing traffic jams, especially during rush hour as motorists manoeuvre through the potholes.
Planned strike ongoing in Kasarani, road closed from Maternity to Maji Mazuri. We all know that Kasarani Mp died and was buried. Let's wait until 2022 for a "better" replacement. @Ma3Route @KoinangeJeff @HamoProf @Hot_96Kenya#jeffandhamoonhot pic.twitter.com/Jn1nG7I2sI
— HERMAN (@Herman_mbaria) December 9, 2019
The situation has even worsened due to the ongoing heavy rains in the city. The section has also had incidents of vehicles getting stuck in the mud.
This comes as even Kenya Urban Roads Authority reported that they rehabilitated the road in 2015 after residents and matatu operators held demonstrations protesting its deplorable state.
09:34 Kasarani-Mwiki road.
Matatus not operating due to protests over bad roads. Plan your journey.
via pic.twitter.com/ECwS9ShqOZ via @ThikaTowntoday— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) December 9, 2019
Some residents are now calling on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecutions Nordin Haji to look into how funds released for the rehabilitation of Njiru-Mwiki-Kasarani road were utilised.
@EACCKenya @DCI_Kenya @ODPP_KE You should look into how funds released for rehabilitation of Njiru-mwiki-kasarani road are utilised.
The road has always been on maintenance after every rainy season but work done is extremely poor via @kiragu_jw #KasaraniUpdates pic.twitter.com/zdmtxgzPj4— Kasarani Updates (@Kasarani_Update) December 9, 2019
According to residents, the road has always been on maintenance after every rainy season.