The nightmare of driving in Nairobi could ease following the beginning of a Sh63 billion roads project next year.
Yesterday, Roads Minister Franklin Bett said the programme, which would see three bypasses built, is set to begin.
He said the project would also see the demolition of round-abouts and construction of a special over-pass on Uhuru Highway, Nairobi.
"We are building three by-passes that will form one big ring around Nairobi. We are also set to build the Nairobi Urban Toll road that will start from the Machakos turn off to join Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki way via an over-pass," said Mr Bett.
Motorists will pay a toll to use the planned roads.
He added: "We want to end this pain once and for all. I have also been a victim of the mess on Mombasa road because I use it every day," said the minister.
He said the by-pass over Uhuru Highway — the first of its kind in Kenyahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144030054&cid=159&#) — would be dual carriageway, terminating at Westlands.
Shortest time
The minister spoke at the Standard Group headquarters on Mombasa Road, when he launched a road safety campaign spearheaded by the media house, Kingsway Tyres, Simba Colt Motors and the Kenya Roads Board.
He said once completed, the new road network will allow motorists spend only 45 minutes to drive from the Machakos turn-off to the city.
Bett was responding to concerns raised by the Standard Media Group Deputy Chairman and Strategy Adviser Paul Melly over what he termed the worsening situation on Mombasa Road.
Mr Melly said traffic jam on the road was an economic mess since motorists lose time to reach their places of work.
"It is bad motorists spend two or more hours in traffic jams. Something has to be done," said Melly.
Melly added: "We acknowledge and appreciate the good work the ministry is doing. The road network has improved and this is likely to translate to better investments."
The minister also warned the ministry and the Kenya Roads Board were working on a new policy that would force motorists to pay for damages done to road structures such as signposts and road rails.
"Motorists who damage any road furniture would be made to pay. I have asked the Kenya Roads Board to formulate that policy," said Bett.
Melly also asked the ministry to "do something" about the Nyayo Stadium roundabout.
Simba Colt Motors MD Adil Poppat, his Kingsway Tyres counterpart Manoj Shah, Kenya Roads Board Chief Executive Francis Nyangaga and Standard Group MD Paul Wanyagah attended the launch.
The Group’s directors, John Opiyo, Sarvjeet Chana and James Boyd Mcfire were present.


http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144030054&cid=159&

:banana::cheers:

thats good news. could anyone shed more light on the same please.

An awkward revelation was made in Parliament on Wednesday evening that exposed the casualness with which Government conducts business.
One would have been tempted to wave away the ‘oversight’ as inconsequential were it not for the huge project involved and the painful past with dodgy deals that have flushed billions of taxpayers’ money down the drain.
The House was debating a Sessional Paper on a road concession agreement worth Sh67 billion tabled by Roads Minister Franklin Bett when backbenchers noted the company the Government had entered into the contract with was yet to be registered.
Surprisingly, Bett admitted that was the case. The minister said the international firm had indicated it would seek registration once Parliament approves the concession contract. His explanation that the parties would only sign the contract once the National Assembly approves it did not cut ice with furious members.
The Government, according to Sessional Paper No 4 of 2009, has settled on Austria’s Messrs A-Way/Strabag/HCH Joint Venture (Nairobi Motorway Group) for the concession contract.
Common law
But MPs questioned how the Government could draw up a contract with an unregistered firm.
"Common law dictates you cannot enter into a contract with a company that doesn’t exist," remarked Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo.
Public Accounts Committee Chairman Bonny Khalwale reminded the House how shadowy figures behind the Anglo Leasing scandal, Alcazar and Mobitelea had taken the country to the cleaners.
The Government’s cause was not helped either by protests within its ranks as Defence Assistant Minister Joseph Nkaissery pointed out the document had "glaring shortcomings" and cast aspersion on the tender process.
Khalwale, the Ikolomani MP, sought the Chair’s guidance as to whether it was proper for the Government to submit the document under the circumstances.
But the House ran out of time at this point but what unfolded after the adjournment was interesting. Some ministers rushed to the bench where the Roads ministry technical staff led by the PS Michael Kamau sat.
The ministers were surprised Parliament was being asked to approve the deal before the necessary paper work had been done.
"You should be aware that Parliament can’t grant a blank cheque," a minister advised the Roads officials. This was curious considering the Cabinet had sanctioned the deal with the apparent oversight. According to the Sessional Paper, the Office of Attorney General gave legal opinion clearing the draft concession contract in April 2009.
The Government salvaged the registration debacle on Thursday afternoon when Bett tabled documents showing Nairobi Motorway Group is now duly registered.
Parliament also gave the green light to the proposal to lease out the highway to the investor on condition the concession agreement is returned to the House for approval.
Khalwale moved the amendment saying it was mischievous of Government to obtain Parliament’s rubber stamp for a draft agreement, which could be altered after the approval.
The Sessional Paper is a brief to Parliament on the proposed development of a section of the Mombasa-Malaba (A104) highway — the "Northern Corridor — into a toll road known as the Nairobi Urban Toll Road Concession. Four main toll-collecting plazas will be erected at Athi River, Enterprise Road and James Gichuru Road junctions and Rironi.
The concessionaire will have a concession period of 30 years to maintain the road to stipulated high standards.
Parliamentary approval must be obtained before the concession can be implemented. In 2006, the Government invited international bidders to tender for the Nairobi road concession. Three parties expressed interest but Nairobi Motorway Group is the only one that bid for the project.
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Parliament has taken a break after member’s passed two important legislations: the Office of Minister Act capping the number of Cabinet ministers at 24 and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act to end the glory days of those enjoying ill-gotten wealth.
The House also passed the National Land Policy to address problems linked to the vital resource. Hopefully members will be in this ‘give-away’ mood when the House reconvenes so that a new constitution can become a reality.


http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/news/InsidePage.php?id=1144030219&cid=159&

thats good news. could anyone shed more light on the same please.

^^that was the last hurdle remaining "parliamentary approval" before the project starts which they did yesterday in the above post:cheers: