This archive report was first published on 17 July 2021.
July 16, 2021 - Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenyan government is on track to complete the construction of 408 kilometers of tarmac roads in Nairobi's informal and densely populated settlements by December 2021.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia made the assurance after inspecting the construction of new tarmac roads in Nairobi's informal slums. The project, which is being undertaken by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura), is now 40 percent complete with 104 kilometers fully tarmacked.
According to Macharia, the government is undertaking the project to improve accessibility and service delivery, as well as to provide employment opportunities to local youth. The project also aims to rehabilitate roads in Kawangware, Kangemi, Mathare, Korogocho, Dandora, Roysambu, Githurai, Kasarani, Kibra, Dagoretti, Kangemi, Mukuru, and other areas.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed the Nairobi Metropolitan Services to undertake slum-upgrading initiatives in the city on March 18, 2020. The project was launched in November last year, but contractors commenced the works in January 2021.
