Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has said the rehabilitation, construction and expansion of roads in Nairobi is part of his long-term plan to ease congestion in the City.
Sonko said political interference has been a major impediment to infrastructural development, especially in the transport sector.
In an interview with a local TV station, Sonko said he recently held a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta on how the National Government and the County can fast-track the construction of the JKIA –Westlands overpass.
“Decongestion of the city has remained a major challenge but this time round, we have to make unpopular decisions to implement the project,” Sonko said.
Previous attempts to decongest the city have been curtailed by what the Governor terms as selfish political and business interests, and corruption.
In the CBD, the county has already started implementing its resolve to clear off matatus from key streets by changing them to single lanes.
Luthuli Avenue is now a single lane road.
Other streets that will be turned into single lanes include Banda, Gedi and Accra streets.
Sonko said the County Government is working on a mega plan that will be a win-win situation for both matatus and other motorists, and the county.
In collaboration with the national government, a long-term plan that will see matatu routes reviewed and new bus termini built will be effected.
The initiative, previously dubbed the Dual Carriage project, will see pavements put up by private property owners repossessed and private properties on road reserves brought down.
Sonko said he will not relent in making any decision that is meant to see the program succeed.
“All properties on public land, especially road reserves, will go down and we are not going to negotiate about this,” he said.
Sonko, who is marking his two years in office, promised to continue investing more in infrastructure development but acknowledged that the sector still needs more funding.
In the last two years, the county has done 100km of roads and it is expected to open up more feeder roads in the estates this financial year.