Most of the buildings were constructed where others had previously been demolished
New buildings worth millions of shilling will be demolished as construction of by-passes and link roads begin in Nairobi.
According to Mr John Mwicha of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, bulldozers are to move in “any time now” as a notice issued to property owners had expired and the contractor was ready to begin work.
Structures set to go during the Nairobi demolition exercise include sheds erected by mechanics and residential properties whose owners failed to demolish them after the notice expired.
The owners of residential and other permanent structures will not be compensated and those who decide to demolish their buildings before the bulldozers arrive will do so at their own cost.
The affected areas include Ruaka (the start of the Northern corridor) where at least two blocks of flats that are right in the middle of the planned road will be brought down.
In Githurai and Kahawa West, defiant encroachers built permanent houses and flats in the area where others had been demolished for the same road project when Prime Minister Raila Odinga was roads minister.
In Kilimani, mechanics have been carrying out business in a corridor supposed to be a direct link between Ngong Road and Westlands. Kura says they will be moved to an area to be identified by the Nairobi City Council.
The Northern by-pass, the Eastern by-pass, and the Ngong road-Westlands link are expected to ease traffic congestion as those who do not need to pass through the city centre will use the new routes.
The Ngong Road-Westlands link, also known as “the missing link”, will enable motorists from Ngong, Lang’ata and Karen to drive directly to Westlands, reducing traffic on roads like Argwings Kodhek and Dennis Pritt. The Sh8.5 billion project is expected to be completed late next year.
