Prime Minister Raila Odinga is juggling three balls in the air and if he lets one fall, he could be political minced-meat for his rivals in the 2012 presidential election.
He could be the proverbial politician who was given rope to hang himself and did not disappoint. He could also emerge victor and legitimate "owner" of a new Kenya into whose hands history has thrust the opportunity to help deliver. In 2003 Raila, who played a leading role in getting President Kibaki elected, was Roads minister and supervised the demolition of palatial buildings standing on land initially set aside for by-passes in Nairobi.
He did it with gusto, but it soon appeared to be another addition to Kenya’s list of white elephant projects.
In the 2007 campaigns against Kibaki, the demolitions came to haunt him — but he argued they had to go down to pave way for a better face of Kenya’s capital.
Ambitious projects
But today (Friday), he will proudly stand beside Kibaki as he officially inaugurates the Sh8.5 billion Eastern and Northern bypasses at the junction of Kangundo and Ruai roads opposite the Administration Police College, Embakasi, Nairobi.
But the question is: Will he pull through with what is on his hands? The President has cast him as senior to Cabinet members except himself.
But Raila says he is ready to pay the political price of helping change Kenya, arguing the task at hand was more beneficial to Kenya. On Wednesday evening he told KTN that issues of conservation "must not be politicised".
"I have been a victim of propaganda of vested interest. Kenya is more important than an individual. If I am to pay a price to conserve the environment so let it be."
"Sometimes governments are forced to take unpopular decisions that may force it out of power… it has been done in the Amazons in Malaysia and several other countries.
"We have discussed as a Government, at the Cabinet and with the President. It is not Raila’s agenda," he said.
"Statements have been made that I am a turncoat… I have changed positions. No. We agreed that people move from the Mau Forest and be compensated. Those with title deeds will be compensated."
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/images/friday/homesm210809_01.jpgRaila OdingaBut still he has the three balls to juggle — and the exercise could make or break him. He has after all been fighting to explain to his anti-Kibaki supporters that he is working closely with him for the sake of uniting and holding the country together.
The first ball is overseeing ambitious and yet sensitive multi-million projects. Their successful execution is his personal triumph given that Kibaki bolstered his position.
If this falls, President Kibaki will have achieved two goals; his display of willingness to let Raila push the wheel of development, but still share the fruit of success and use it to rebuild his legacy, which ails from the aftertaste of post-election violence.
But if the four-year programmes, among them the 18 projects for which the Cabinet yesterday approved Sh250 billion over a period of eight years fail, his rivals will use this to demonstrate that he is a fast talker, but slow delivery. In addition, Kibaki will have sent the message he gave Raila the room to work, but he squandered the opportunity.
Ministers’ goodwill
This is tricky for Raila because the success of the programmes would depend on the goodwill of other Cabinet ministers and movers of government whom the National Accord gave him powers to supervise and coordinate their operations.
They include the President and the other leaders who just a few months ago would not hear him out when he lay claim to the office of Leader of Government Business in Parliament. Or even when he insisted in public he came first before the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. The other side of Government sneered at him and told him he was daydreaming.
Raila’s second ball in the air is his grassroots popularity, especially in the Rift Valley where he was handed the task of clearing the swathes of forests land parcelled out to peasants and the mighty and moneyed.
Critics argue that if Raila mishandles this, in 2012 he will be told, as is the case now, he is turning against the same people who voted, and probably died for him. Some Rift Valley leaders, whose constituents incidentally stand to lose the most if degradation of Mau continues, have for example began accusing him of betraying them and being drunk with power.
"I urge the Prime Minister to do all he can to reclaim the forest illegally lost to private individuals and developers," Kibaki said on Wednesday as he bestowed on Raila the difficult but yet potentially rewarding assignment.
Building on the sweeping mandate Kibaki added: "I call upon Kenyans support this effort to ensure the country has enough rain and food."
The flipside of this is that if the programme succeeds, Raila could get the connection he needs with the ordinary people, in line with his 2007 election — that his would not be a repair, but overhaul of the country.
But in private, some of his supporters think that even though Kibaki has "certainly warmed" up to Raila, and had been with him recently in many joint functions, the President is letting Raila do the spadework then he reaps the fruits.
Others argue that Raila by his nature is aggressive and ambitious, and when given an inch he could take a mile. This group argues that the PM is where he wanted after missing State House.
Immense powers
In this corner, he is able to turn the country around as much as he would, through for example irrigation, water distribution, as well as agricultural, employment and youth development programmes — whose execution he will now coordinate and supervise.
The third ball Raila has to juggle along with the "brutal" side of his office is enforcing unfavourable Government and Cabinet programmes, such as his and Kibaki’s preferred mode of trying post-election suspects without killing or dividing his Orange Democratic Party — easily Kenya’s most organised and cohesive party during the campaigns. If he loses it, as some argue, he could by 2012 end up a giant standing on mosquito feet.
Raila argues, "I have been trying to explain to people and to dialogue with them that I do not mean bad… I mean well."
But either way his friends and enemies will be watching his juggling — each saying a different prayer.

President Kibaki commissioned construction of bypasses to ease traffic on Nairobi roads.
The President said the Eastern and Northern bypasses would cost Sh8.5 billion.
He, however, expressed disappointment with some State parastatals and companies for contributing to road damage by failing to enforce the law. He singled out Kenya Pipeline Company and cargo companies for clearing overloaded trucks ferrying goods from Mombasa port.
"These are Government institutions that cannot escape responsibility for overloaded vehicles originating from their premises," said Kibaki, yesterday.
He directed ministries of Roads, Transport and Energy to ensure cargo trucks complied with axle-weight limits.
New transport
He said new roads must have walkways and a section for cyclists. He said heavy commercial vehicles would be re-routed to alternative roads outside the city centre.
He challenged planners to come up with new ideas on how to address traffic congestion in urban centres.
Kibaki said the African Development Bank had agreed to finance a study to determine the best public transport system in Nairobi.
He was accompanied by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Roads Minister Franklin Bett.
Kalonzo commended the Chinese Government for supporting road construction and other projects in the country.
Bett said there are plans to launch new buses with a 160 to 240-passenger capacity to ease traffic.
"We have issued instructions to road constructors in the city to create points where the special buses will be dropping and picking passengers," he said.
The minister said all structures in areas earmarked for road expansion would be pulled down.
The construction of bypasses is being funded by the Chinese Government, which will foot 85 per cent of the total cost.
Chinese Ambassador Deng Hong Bo said his government would ensure quality work.

Yes, finally! After seven years of false starts (mostly occassioned by politics) we see real prospects. The most encouraging part for me is that the contract went to a Chinese campany and not one of our own dubious companies like Hayer Bishan, Mugoya or Kirinyaga.

President Kibaki commissioned construction of bypasses to ease traffic on Nairobi roads.
The President said the Eastern and Northern bypasses would cost Sh8.5 billion.
He, however, expressed disappointment with some State parastatals and companies for contributing to road damage by failing to enforce the law. He singled out Kenya Pipeline Company and cargo companies for clearing overloaded trucks ferrying goods from Mombasa port.
"These are Government institutions that cannot escape responsibility for overloaded vehicles originating from their premises," said Kibaki, yesterday.
He directed ministries of Roads, Transport and Energy to ensure cargo trucks complied with axle-weight limits.
New transport
He said new roads must have walkways and a section for cyclists. He said heavy commercial vehicles would be re-routed to alternative roads outside the city centre.
He challenged planners to come up with new ideas on how to address traffic congestion in urban centres.
Kibaki said the African Development Bank had agreed to finance a study to determine the best public transport system in Nairobi.
He was accompanied by Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Roads Minister Franklin Bett.
Kalonzo commended the Chinese Government for supporting road construction and other projects in the country.
Bett said there are plans to launch new buses with a 160 to 240-passenger capacity to ease traffic.
"We have issued instructions to road constructors in the city to create points where the special buses will be dropping and picking passengers," he said.
The minister said all structures in areas earmarked for road expansion would be pulled down.
The construction of bypasses is being funded by the Chinese Government, which will foot 85 per cent of the total cost.
Chinese Ambassador Deng Hong Bo said his government would ensure quality work.

^^
Especially Kirinyaga.:puke:

Sorry once again for the grainy newspaper pics but its the only way I could get renders for the project.

New junction for Mombasa road and North airport road (@ city cabanas).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3852299262_1d6b6aef8d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3851535941_b4e6779d1b_b.jpg

By-pass map.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/3851552823_0bb452d986_b.jpg

I wonder why they decided to call them by-passes! The only one I can consider a by-pass is the Southern By-pass. The others simply lead into and out of Nairobi.


By-pass map.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/3851552823_0bb452d986_b.jpg

Sorry once again for the grainy newspaper pics but its the only way I could get renders for the project.

New junction for Mombasa road and North airport road (@ city cabanas).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3852299262_1d6b6aef8d_b.jpg

This is long overdue.that junction is way too dangerous.

This is long overdue.that junction is way too dangerous.

I dont even know how guys cross that junction onto MSA road daily without having your car bashed or knocking someone especially when the traffic cops are not around.

Note the N.airport road looks like it will be converted to a four lane dual carriageway. Good thing given that the suburbs around Embakasi served by this road eg. Nyayo Embakasi are expanding.

I wonder why they decided to call them by-passes! The only one I can consider a by-pass is the Southern By-pass. The others simply lead into and out of Nairobi.

Well, they were planned in the 70's when they actually went around the built up area. Then came the Moi years...We are building them nearly 30 years too late.
(that would be like vision 2030 if we started today).

I wonder why they decided to call them by-passes! The only one I can consider a by-pass is the Southern By-pass. The others simply lead into and out of Nairobi.

I think the point is to by pass the city center which causes all the congestion and traffic.

Are these new bypasses going to be freeway grade or are they going to be regular roads?

Are these new bypasses going to be freeway grade or are they going to be regular roads?

Both, depending on traffic densities.

I got this from the KURA(Kenyan Urban Roads Authority) website.

Proposed Design for the first 5 KM of the Eastern bypass.

http://www.kura.go.ke/modules/mod_jt_slideshow/photos/photo03.jpg

http://www.kura.go.ke/modules/mod_jt_slideshow/photos/photo01.jpg

these guys are seriously not joking around!!!

they are serious about seeing these projects through

maybe a new age of responsibility in government??? i shud stop building castles in the air

these guys are seriously not joking around!!!

they are serious about seeing these projects through

maybe a new age of responsibility in government??? i shud stop building castles in the air

I think there consensus that we all need good roads and if it is the government which charged with that responsibility and there is goodwill why not? That is what is showing, plus the average citizen knows his/her rights and so can complain if they are not provided, so this helps.

But the main thing I think is a new spirit to move forward which is being felt by everyone. Seriously, if we were at par with South Korea or better at independence, how can it be that we are nolonger comparable? And this is just due to may be bad leadership and corruption? Bad leadership is all to blame because even corruption only thrives where there is bad leadership. Lets move forward and build now for future generations. Otherwise we'll be an island of underdevelopment. Kenya must and should remain as the economic powerhouse and social development and without such concerted and deliberate efforts to move forward we cannot achieve that. Bravo Kenya!! More and more roads....into our homes, villages, deserts, etc because we are all Kenyans.

these guys are seriously not joking around!!!

they are serious about seeing these projects through

maybe a new age of responsibility in government??? i shud stop building castles in the air

Not to absolve the gov't of resposibility but,by and large,we seem to come short on maintenance culture.Look at some places and find people with money don't keep their places in top shape,takataka is left in some mid tier estates and there's cutting corners to the point buildings zinaporomoka.In short i find it hard to heap all blame on gov't as there's also greed and irresponsiblity elsewhere.There are good reasons why other countries require you to trim your yard,paint or repair buidings and reasons they have neighborhood associations.The goal of making nrb a world class metro seems a big joke as its only a gov't project with no neighbourhood commitees,home owners,businesses and builders involved to ensure all areas are up to par.Yes there's irresponsibility in gov't but also individuals need to act like we're in this together-it is your taxes and quality of life after all

Not to absolve the gov't of resposibility but,by and large,we seem to come short on maintenance culture.Look at some places and find people with money don't keep their places in top shape,takataka is left in some mid tier estates and there's cutting corners to the point buildings zinaporomoka.In short i find it hard to heap all blame on gov't as there's also greed and irresponsiblity elsewhere.There are good reasons why other countries require you to trim your yard,paint or repair buidings and reasons they have neighborhood associations.The goal of making nrb a world class metro seems a big joke as its only a gov't project with no neighbourhood commitees,home owners,businesses and builders involved to ensure all areas are up to par.Yes there's irresponsibility in gov't but also individuals need to act like we're in this together-it is your taxes and quality of life after all


Any new pictures of this important by-pass? I am sure they must have moved quite a bit since we last got updates. Can't wait to see the trucks going round the city rather than through it in the next few months? what about the eastern by-pass? they are joined into one at some point.

Northern by pass junction with Kiambu road. I took this picture a while back as I was trying to avoid the Thika road traffic jam. They are supposed to build a flyover at this point. Im sure by now the pillars are up. (NB. the coffee plantation in the background is where they are building the Fourways junction housing project).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4947527579_f76c0e3b94_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5236813735_4f942d96c9_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5236813591_c98923de00_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5236820791_d9be70313c_b.jpg

seems the Kiambu one will be like this when done

Thanks sakangu for the update.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5236820791_d9be70313c_b.jpg

seems the Kiambu one will be like this when done
:applause::applause::applause:nice roads and projects in Kenya, hope we can learn from you guys, :cheers::cheers::cheers:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5236820791_d9be70313c_b.jpg


^^
I drove on this one a week ago from Njiru(Kangundo Rd) to Ruiru(Thika Rd) and its all smooth apart from the underpass at Ruiru which is not complete. I did the section in 15mins!!:banana:

Now, problem is one family has erected an electric fence along the highway all the way from Mwiki to Peponi/Brookside (Guess which family!?) No wonder their names are on the Hague list!:bash: The residents of Mwiki, Githurai Kimbo and Kahawa Sukari can therefore not access the Highway!:ohno: The Highwway Authority should do something about this to allow atleat three major outlets/inlets.

how selfish of Kenyatta.

Is the fencing on public or private property? If it's on private property how is it blocking access for others?

^^
I drove on this one a week ago from Njiru(Kangundo Rd) to Ruiru(Thika Rd) and its all smooth apart from the underpass at Ruiru which is not complete. I did the section in 15mins!!:banana:

Now, problem is one family has erected an electric fence along the highway all the way from Mwiki to Peponi/Brookside (Guess which family!?) No wonder their names are on the Hague list!:bash: The residents of Mwiki, Githurai Kimbo and Kahawa Sukari can therefore not access the Highway!:ohno: The Highwway Authority should do something about this to allow atleat three major outlets/inlets.

Is the fencing on public or private property? If it's on private property how is it blocking access for others?
^^
Whether private or public land, they are blocking access to the road which is a public utility so all the thousands of people living near it can not use it. They should give lee way for at least two inlet roads and then they can keep their land which God knows how they acquired.

Look at this map to make more sense of what am saying:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5354268910_034c8b9a98_b.jpg
:ohno:

If the government was interested with their land for the purpose of this road am sure they would have claimed it. but as it is this road is almost complete and this thread has almost no impressions. Any takers?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_m.jpg
from Ruaka to kiambu road this is the image taken like a month ago.A Simple overpass like the one to Juja on thika road.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_m.jpg
from Ruaka to kiambu road this is the image taken like a month ago.A Simple overpass like the one to Juja on thika road.

Bigger Image

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_b.jpg

nb: image location always replace the last letter with a "b"

i.e.

from

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_m.jpg

to

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_b.jpg

Bigger Image

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_b.jpg

nb: image location always replace the last letter with a "b"

i.e.

from

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_m.jpg

to

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/5726393068_3af0d83ede_b.jpg

Thanks a million times.

Some photos taken on the airport north road round-about heading towards old airport

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3261/5807131973_206241133d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131973/)
DSC00624 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131973/) by pmwathi (http://www.flickr.com/people/pmwathi/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/5807131415_43627b31e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131415/)
DSC00626 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131415/) by pmwathi (http://www.flickr.com/people/pmwathi/), on Flickr

and these are photos of the roundabout on north airport road with city cabanas. taken from the north airport road direction towards pipeline

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5807131927_fcb87ef8bb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131927/)
DSC00622 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131927/) by pmwathi (http://www.flickr.com/people/pmwathi/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/5807697802_54ed019b72_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807697802/)
DSC00621 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807697802/) by pmwathi (http://www.flickr.com/people/pmwathi/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/5807131725_14ec8a8ba8_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131725/)
DSC00620 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmwathi/5807131725/) by pmwathi (http://www.flickr.com/people/pmwathi/), on Flickr

Eastern Bypass looks good in this video.

JFptNNPpzLw

Well, the lane markings are there. This gives me hope for the Thika project :)

Thank you for the video. For some reason I was under the impression that the by-passes were going to be dual-carriageways. Better this than nothing. What's up with the bumps on the shoulders. I have seen them on other highways and to me it seems to defeat the purpose of having shoulders. Among other things, the shoulders are a quick escape should you need it. Imagine hitting them at 80 KPH.

Eastern Bypass looks good in this video.

JFptNNPpzLw

I think they wanted to discourage people from driving on the shoulders since it will damage them quicker.

I think they wanted to discourage people from driving on the shoulders since it will damage them quicker.

Yeah...You know how Kenyans drive ;)

They should have considered dual carriageways instead of these as you can see the congestion on the road.

I understand the need to discourage drivers from driving along improved shoulders, but I think it negates the paramount purpose of having them: increased safety. Imagine trying to avoid a head-on or a side-swipe only to run into a bump that impedes your escape route. The damage to your vehicle (broken axles, burst tires etc.) becomes a bigger danger when you are trying to avoid danger.

Yeah...You know how Kenyans drive ;)

This road must have progressed considerably by now. Got two questions though for anyone with info. 1). Passing thro msa road i saw they had hoisted big metal sheets and placed them as beams. Could it be possible that they make their beams in place instead of delivering them precast? Anyone seen them doing it. 2). Once you 'jump' msa road the other side looks lk a developed section with a very narrow road leading out of it. Are those buildings doomed or is the southern bypass starting elsewhere? Anyone?

This road must have progressed considerably by now. Got two questions though for anyone with info. 1). Passing thro msa road i saw they had hoisted big metal sheets and placed them as beams. Could it be possible that they make their beams in place instead of delivering them precast? Anyone seen them doing it. 2). Once you 'jump' msa road the other side looks lk a developed section with a very narrow road leading out of it. Are those buildings doomed or is the southern bypass starting elsewhere? Anyone?

I have seen it too, seems this fly-over will be constructed differently, and will not use pre-cast beams.

As across the road, some building will have to go to pave way for the eatsern bypass overpass to join Mombasa road. A notice has already been issue, and compensation process should be underway.

As for sourthern by-pass starts at Ole-seleni, a small distance from where Mombasa rd meet the eastern by-pass, therefore easter and southern bypassed to not actually meet, but both touch mombasa road.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/5862437899_4ebfff3bcf_b.jpg

I drove on this one a week ago from Njiru(Kangundo Rd) to Ruiru(Thika Rd) and its all smooth apart from the underpass at Ruiru which is not complete. I did the section in 15mins!!:banana:

Now, problem is one family has erected an electric fence along the highway all the way from Mwiki to Peponi/Brookside (Guess which family!?) No wonder their names are on the Hague list!:bash: The residents of Mwiki, Githurai Kimbo and Kahawa Sukari can therefore not access the Highway!:ohno: The Highwway Authority should do something about this to allow atleat three major outlets/inlets.
Is the fencing on public or private property? If it's on private property how is it blocking access for others?

Seems like we have a reprieve on this one;

Roads Minister Franklin Bett said he will begin talks Friday, concerning Githurai-Mwihoko link road to the new Eastern by-pass. The Minister, who was touring the Thika Road construction on Thursday said paving the Githurai- Mwihoko link road will help ease traffic on Thika Road, which is already operating beyond capacity carrying more than 30,000 vehicles per day. "We will find funds to link up the roundabout [Githurai] to touch the Eastern by- pass. It will reduce traffic on Thika road, and some of the traffic on the Eastern by-pass. It will assist people going to Kiambu or into town instead of struggling on Thika Road," he said.
:cheers:

http://http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2011/05/26/plan-to-open-up-link-to-eastern-bypass/

People, I just used the Northern by-pass from Thika road to Kikuyu and took me twenty minutes. Just unbelievable what these by-passes are doing to travelling time.

People, I just used the Northern by-pass from Thika road to Kikuyu and took me twenty minutes. Just unbelievable what these by-passes are doing to travelling time. Am sure u exaggerate that distance is too long but we get ua point. Meaning its complete from ruiru to rwaka?

I missed this, where is simba colt located?
Simba Colt Motors is set to lose its five-acre piece of land off Mombasa Road, Nairobi, as the government seeks to acquire land for construction of a bypass.
The commissioner of lands listed the company’s land, estimated to be valued at more than Sh100 million, as one of the pieces targeted for state acquisition to pave way for the Eastern bypass that will connect Mombasa Road to Thika Road, to ease traffic congestion in the city centre.

Acquisition of the land which currently serves as the auto dealer’s major vehicle warehouse and service centre, will have a major impact on operations of the company according to an official of the firm.

The acquisition notice signed by lands commissioner Mr Zablon Mabeya was published in a gazette notice dated May 10.

“The acquisition will cause major disruptions to our operations. We have spent two years to raise the pre-delivery centre to its current high standards,” said the official who sought anonymity as negotiations with the government on the intended acquisition are still pending.

“The extent of the business disruption will depend on the lead time for the acquisition,” he added. Pre-delivery centres are an essential part of new auto dealers’ distribution chain and building customer loyalty since this is where servicing, storage, and inspection of locally assembled or imported vehicles is done.

A prolonged disruption of Simba Colt’s operations could slow down its business, interfering with its sales in the fast growing heavy commercial vehicle market in which its Mitsubishi brand has a large market share. Rivals like General Motors and CMC Motors could expand their market share at the expense of Simba Colt that gained a slight market share last year.

Simba Colt’s overall market share rose marginally to 18.4 per cent from 18.3 per cent in 2009 while General Motors East Africa (selling Isuzu bus and commercial trucks) raised its market share to 26.2 per cent from 20 per cent in a similar period, underlining growth in the commercial trucks segment.

CMC Motors that sells Nissan Diesel (UD) and Mercedes trucks, saw its market share drop to 13.7 per cent from 15.4 per cent in 2009. The market shares are based on sales data reported to the Kenya Motor Industry Association.

The government has invited Simba Colt and other affected land holders to submit their compensation expectations on 14 July. Up to 20 individual and corporate landowners are affected by the Eastern and North Eastern bypass projects.

Simba Colt is expected to buy another piece of land on Mombasa Road where there are still large parcels of land and where most auto dealers have established their warehouses and service centres, including General Motors, CMC Motors, and Toyota East Africa.

The forced acquisitions, covering more than 20 acres around Mombasa and North Airport roads, are expected to drive up the cost of new land targeted by the affected firms and individuals.

The rising demand for commercial and residential properties in Nairobi amid scarce land has seen developers buy more land on Mombasa Road to the East of the capital, a move that seen land prices there more than double in the past two years. For instance, an eighth of an acre in Mlolongo sells at about Sh1.6 million up from Sh900,000 in 2009.

The imminent loss of Simba Colt’s land comes at a time when the auto dealer is diversifying its business lines, going big into the property market that has in the past two years attracted more individuals, insurers and fund managers seeking high, assured returns.
The company is building a 200-room five-star hotel on Chiromo Road, Nairobi and is pursuing several other investments in the hospitality sector in a bid to reduce its reliance on the vehicle market that rakes in most of the group’s revenues.

I missed this, where is simba colt located?

http://in2eastafrica.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/simba.jpg

Near Shell petrol station on mombasa road after the nyayo stadium roundabout.

http://in2eastafrica.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/simba.jpg

Near Shell petrol station on mombasa road after the nyayo stadium roundabout.
Thanks ernestombayo7. Thats far off the bypasses!

Am sure u exaggerate that distance is too long but we get ua point. Meaning its complete from ruiru to rwaka?

I drove on the Northern bypass recently, its nearly complete from Ruaka to Ruiru. Only a small section after Githurai 44 ( with a connection for the Northern bypass to Roysambu) and another between Runda and Ruaka are yet to be finished.

On a sad note however the arteries through Runda have been blocked all along the road including United Nations Avenue, either by Runda association or the contractor with heaps of mud. I had to go all the way to Ruaka though I was going to Gigiri!:ohno:

On a sad note however the arteries through Runda have been blocked all along the road including United Nations Avenue, either by Runda association or the contractor with heaps of mud. I had to go all the way to Ruaka though I was going to Gigiri!:ohno:


And that has always been my problem with gated communities and of course those estates that just put up gates without considering the accessibility. I'm hoping that something will be done about such estates. Though RUnda does have its own Emergency Services (ama?) so they can close any access they want without anyone complaining about emergency accessibilty.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6079572786_7acc76b7fb_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6079572808_231884bc61_b.jpg
the retaining walls for tha ramps are using a different technology here

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6079572808_231884bc61_b.jpg
the retaining walls for tha ramps are using a different technology here

The retaining wall are not that cute !!

what the heck is happening behind the retainer walls...

they started filling the ramp though the retaining wall is halfway done on one side.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6166106586_c650f2a131_b.jpg
and the dual carriage is not far off
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6162406111_07ed60e551_b.jpg
though at this point no kerb on the central reservation
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6162406347_a51f22979c_b.jpg
and when it is done it doesnt look 'matatu proof'
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6162487535_aba0237da6_b.jpg

nice pictures...thank you

they started filling the ramp though the retaining wall is halfway done on one side.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6166106586_c650f2a131_b.jpg



Seems that the retaining wall will only be on one side, maybe coz of space. retaining wall reduce the surface area occupied by the ramp. Seems to be more space on the right, so I guess there will be no retaining wall

Seems that the retaining wall will only be on one side, maybe coz of space. retaining wall reduce the surface area occupied by the ramp. Seems to be more space on the right, so I guess there will be no retaining wall

Are u implying that the right side will be filled with soil till it looks like a slope? Seems to be the idea though i get not what is the use of the half wall.

Are u implying that the right side will be filled with soil till it looks like a slope? Seems to be the idea though i get not what is the use of the half wall.

Where there is a road next to a ramp, they build walls. Where there is none, they leave it as a slope. Though in this case, there seems to be a road on either side so I'm also confused.

I cant wait to see the Mombasa road interchange get built. I'm pretty sure it will look like the Museum Hill interchange.

nice pictures...thank you
you are welcome

Where there is a road next to a ramp, they build walls. Where there is none, they leave it as a slope. Though in this case, there seems to be a road on either side so I'm also confused.

I cant wait to see the Mombasa road interchange get built. I'm pretty sure it will look like the Museum Hill interchange.
They built the hinterland in a hurry hawana haraka hapa. Might be different from museum hill coz these two roads pass each other. None is terminating on the other.

They built the hinterland in a hurry hawana haraka hapa. Might be different from museum hill coz these two roads pass each other. None is terminating on the other.

There is an interchange being built at City Cabanas where the Eastern Bypass Terminates. I am sure that is where Kenguy expects to look like Museum Interchange.

There is an interchange being built at City Cabanas where the Eastern Bypass Terminates. I am sure that is where Kenguy expects to look like Museum Interchange.

Yep! That's the section I had in mind. :)

Simply put this is an interchange for a four-way junction where both Mombasa rd and Eastern by-pass are dual carriage ways; may be Eastern by-pass is not dual carriage after the interchange but it continues on, so it really should be different from Museum Hill. We'll see!!

Simply put this is an interchange for a four-way junction where both Mombasa rd and Eastern by-pass are dual carriage ways; may be Eastern by-pass is not dual carriage after the interchange but it continues on, so it really should be different from Museum Hill. We'll see!!
+1

Simply put this is an interchange for a four-way junction where both Mombasa rd and Eastern by-pass are dual carriage ways; may be Eastern by-pass is not dual carriage after the interchange but it continues on, so it really should be different from Museum Hill. We'll see!!

The eastern bypass will be a dual carriage as it terminates on Mombasa road. Thats why I say it will be like the Museum hill interchange. Though it may become a real spaghetti junction once work on the elevated expressway (Msa road-Uhuru highway-Waiyaki way overpass) starts since this proposed highway also begins at the same point.

The eastern bypass will be a dual carriage as it terminates on Mombasa road. Thats why I say it will be like the Museum hill interchange. Though it may become a real spaghetti junction once work on the elevated expressway (Msa road-Uhuru highway-Waiyaki way overpass) starts since this proposed highway also begins at the same point.

Does it? I think it goes right through it. However small the road through is i think it would not be in order to ignore it in the design of the interchange.

Does it? I think it goes right through it. However small the road through is i think it would not be in order to ignore it in the design of the interchange.

It does terminate on Mombasa road (pink on map).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/3851552823_0bb452d986_b.jpg

Interchange render.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3852299262_1d6b6aef8d_b.jpg

So city cabannas was really in a road reserve?looks deserted
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6259976934_ca04704c47_b.jpg

and so near the ramp
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6259974872_079dd3cf46_b.jpg

Once they are complete with this section there will be minimal disruption of traffichttp://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6259980436_511dc5fd03_b.jpg

So city cabannas was really in a road reserve?looks deserted
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6259976934_ca04704c47_b.jpg

and so near the ramp
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6259974872_079dd3cf46_b.jpg

Once they are complete with this section there will be minimal disruption of traffichttp://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6259980436_511dc5fd03_b.jpg


Great!! Men at work in the spirit of building the nation!! Proud to belong!! Even in times of great difficulty we must soldier on, together united as one with one purpose: to build our nation for no one will come from elsewhere to do it for us, even from afar WE have to and will do it!!

Overpass over outering road open to traffic though not paved(weather bad for a quality shot)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6580998553_5f46c8952b_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6580988735_8054cdef67_b.jpg

Nice landscaping
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6580970177_92912266cf_b.jpg

Has anyone used the eastern bypass from the airport to Ruiru successfully?

Has anyone used the eastern bypass from the airport to Ruiru successfully?

yap and such a nice road it is.

yap and such a nice road it is.

I like the northern by pass...driving though coffee plantations and the new Kiambu suburbs.

It does terminate on Mombasa road (pink on map).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2214/3851552823_0bb452d986_b.jpg

Interchange render.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3852299262_1d6b6aef8d_b.jpg

:cheers:

Here are some photos of the Eastern Bypass taken today:

1. After the overpass as you approach Mombasa Road...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6720027855_b6ae8ace91_b.jpg

2. Reinforcing walls...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6720028169_057aafc297_b.jpg

3. After the overpass towards Utawala/Ruiru
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6720028415_26c80a7349_b.jpg

4. Same direction as above: Notice the drainage
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6720028639_7f198350b4_b.jpg

5. Some of the structures you will see as you drive by
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6720029001_d2131dcf28_b.jpg

great snaps, Fwesa! One question, how do you access the bypass if, say, you are coming from Machakos?

The section from the overpass towards Mombasa road and towards Utawala has 8 lanes. As you will notice in the 3rd picture, I took the shot while standing on the pedestrian pavement:
-There is a two-lane service road, then the drainage, then the two lanes heading to the overpass.
-The same applies for the other half of the road towards Utawala.

great snaps, Fwesa! One question, how do you access the bypass if, say, you are coming from Machakos?

Arzedu, as you will notice from the render just above my shots, when you come from Machakos, you will pass under the overpass on Mombasa road (at Cabanas) , drive about 500 m or so then turn left on to the Eastern Bypass. The Bypass goes round behind some of the buidlings on Mombasa road and passes over Mombasa road at Cabanas.

BTW it is an exact replica of the Museum hill section. You join it the same way you join Thika road from Uhuru highway (or is it Chiromo road). The only difference is that the Exit to Eastern Bypass is farther ahead.

BTW it is an exact replica of the Museum hill section. You join it the same way you join Thika road from Uhuru highway (or is it Chiromo road). The only difference is that the Exit to Eastern Bypass is farther ahead.

^^
Just as I had predicted. :)

Thanks a lot Fwesa for the clarification, I have been wondering.

Thanks a lot Fwesa for the clarification, I have been wondering.
You are welcome:)

Thanks Fwesa for the updates.Great Shots and good descriptions.

Good photos of Northern Bypass from the Thika Road blog site: http://www.thikaroadblog.net/blog/northern-bypass-start-point

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3092/nbypass07.jpg

Good photos of Northern Bypass from the Thika Road blog site: http://www.thikaroadblog.net/blog/northern-bypass-start-point

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3092/nbypass07.jpg


This is an amazing beauty in whole as it is: road, environment, sky; perfect view :)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3092/nbypass07.jpg

Certainly, This is the photo of the Month

Overpass over outering road open to traffic though not paved(weather bad for a quality shot)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7145/6580998553_5f46c8952b_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6580988735_8054cdef67_b.jpg

Nice landscaping
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6580970177_92912266cf_b.jpg

i was there and also at the taj mall in pipeline/embakasi but i didnt take any pics. my phone was dead. sadness.:ohno::ohno: great pics my friend

Nairobi Northern bypass
L47tNSnGBsY

Southern bypass
5SgamUi43eA

The Northern bypass is a beauty!thats how roads are supposed to be built.thanks for sharing the videos.Man, that driver was cruising.160km/hr?

the german rasta guy video was informative but his driving is off.

Love the first video :cool:

160km/hr? That is the reason you should not jaywalk and there should be a barrier between traffic and pedestrians.Thanks for the vid but stupid driving. @ 6.02 that was too close for comfort. @ 9.04 has the pedestrian ran out of sidewalk, he is practicaly on the road!!!

Good video but the driving is stupid! this guy could have easily killed someone or himself!Careless overtaking..when will people ever learn not to overtake by tagging another overtaking car...a recipe for a head on.Then to make it worse the guy overtakes an overtakin car using the shoulder @11.07...and another reckless overtakin on a hill.Uko na climbing lane bu unataka ku overtake using the on comming traffic lane!.With thika road under construction,i think it will be a death trap.we kenyans drive zigzag on a highway overtakin from both lanes.In other countries guys overtake on highway then move over..always leaving one lane clear for someone moving faster.In kenya you will see two people driving at same speed but on different lanes...or worse still someone movin slow on the fast lane.alot has to be done to curb the high rates of accidents!

Good video but the driving is stupid! this guy could have easily killed someone or himself!Careless overtaking..when will people ever learn not to overtake by tagging another overtaking car...a recipe for a head on.Then to make it worse the guy overtakes an overtakin car using the shoulder @11.07...and another reckless overtakin on a hill.Uko na climbing lane bu unataka ku overtake using the on comming traffic lane!.With thika road under construction,i think it will be a death trap.we kenyans drive zigzag on a highway overtakin from both lanes.In other countries guys overtake on highway then move over..always leaving one lane clear for someone moving faster.In kenya you will see two people driving at same speed but on different lanes...or worse still someone movin slow on the fast lane.alot has to be done to curb the high rates of accidents!
And when will u guys learn to distinguish speeding and reckless driving? they are not related. I did not see an instance where he had to cut in because of oncoming vehicles and even when he overtook on the shoulder which is abit scary for most folks, the road ahead was clear.
Even at 6.02 when he overtakes while there is an oncoming bike look closely at the instant when he pulls over and realise its not as dangerous as it looks.

And when will u guys learn to distinguish speeding and reckless driving? they are not related.

AMEN!!!!!

i had this argument with my friends(two of them were cops) to the point that i got frustrated and got pissed off. just because speeding and accident are correlated doesn't mean that there is a causality shared

speeding does not equal to reckless driving.

however when i was in Kenya it was very clear that alot of Kenyan drivers are reckless drivers to the point of stupidity. many Kenyan drivers lack the necessary cautiousness.

Good video but the driving is stupid! this guy could have easily killed someone or himself!Careless overtaking..when will people ever learn not to overtake by tagging another overtaking car...a recipe for a head on.Then to make it worse the guy overtakes an overtakin car using the shoulder @11.07...and another reckless overtakin on a hill.Uko na climbing lane bu unataka ku overtake using the on comming traffic lane!.With thika road under construction,i think it will be a death trap.we kenyans drive zigzag on a highway overtakin from both lanes.In other countries guys overtake on highway then move over..always leaving one lane clear for someone moving faster.In kenya you will see two people driving at same speed but on different lanes...or worse still someone movin slow on the fast lane.alot has to be done to curb the high rates of accidents!

Er...Mr Royco....let me shift that burden of blame to mention that the German Rasta is not even Kenyan. It seems he has got quite of experience from other roads...as depicted on his youtube video stream of driving all over the world. Bad seed from the west eh?

AeroBlue...lets call a spoon a spoon.I dont know whose driving but i can tell you for a fact that to overtake an overtakin vehicle using the shoulder is reckless..whether there's an on commin vehicle or not.So i can say ...yap THATS A BAD SEED FROM THE WEST.lol.But i suppose he also knows that he can do that in kenya and get away with it...hence thats another factor.lack of law enforcement!

AeroBlue...lets call a spoon a spoon.I dont know whose driving but i can tell you for a fact that to overtake an overtakin vehicle using the shoulder is reckless..whether there's an on commin vehicle or not.So i can say ...yap THATS A BAD SEED FROM THE WEST.lol.But i suppose he also knows that he can do that in kenya and get away with it...hence thats another factor.lack of law enforcement!

I agree with you completely. And if one questions the law enforcers, they claim 'a lack of resources' so, highway patrol cars? and those xtrail numbers i USED to see just will not cut it. it is an expensive venture unfortunately, for example if you see the South African highway patrol cars......BMWs and Mercs. for us we only see those in the presidential motorcade. these guys will have to spend for such recklesness to be choked to a minimum -

And when will u guys learn to distinguish speeding and reckless driving? they are not related. I did not see an instance where he had to cut in because of oncoming vehicles and even when he overtook on the shoulder which is abit scary for most folks, the road ahead was clear.
Even at 6.02 when he overtakes while there is an oncoming bike look closely at the instant when he pulls over and realise its not as dangerous as it looks.

Okay dude, just so that am clear on this, he is both reckless and speeding...
1. I dont need to explain the speeding.....
2. Reckless...let me point to the 6.02 bike part since we already have this on topic, the driver has looked ahead and seen the road to be clear per his perspective and thus he over takes...Who said that motorbikes have to ride at the edge of a lane, the bike guy could have been in the middle of his lane...in this case he was at the far end of his lane thus does not seem dangerous.the shocking part to me is that the driver does not know what the other road user is going to think when he sees an overtaking speeding vehicle in his lane...in this case, the bike guy was clam, did not react and eerything went smoothly.thats why we are having this conversation, this does not happen all the time and the one time it causes an accident, lives a lost...

Wee Nairoberry

oh and by the way speeding is reckless driving....

reck·less

   /ˈrɛkhttp://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pnglɪs/ [/URL]Show Spelled[rek-lis] [URL="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html"] (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html)Show IPA
adjective 1. utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless (usually followed by of ): to be reckless of danger.

2. characterized by or proceeding from such carelessness: reckless extravagance.

Sorry, dont mean to derail the thread....Lets enjoy the road....

AeroBlue...lets call a spoon a spoon.I dont know whose driving but i can tell you for a fact that to overtake an overtakin vehicle using the shoulder is reckless..whether there's an on commin vehicle or not.So i can say ...yap THATS A BAD SEED FROM THE WEST.lol.But i suppose he also knows that he can do that in kenya and get away with it...hence thats another factor.lack of law enforcement!

I was once driving on a road in Mexico, from Tijuana to Ensinada, there is this new stretch of road(kinda like the one he is driving on)..I kid you not i punched the pedal to a 160miles/h.. that prolly about 220-240kmph(there abouts)...I had about 2 miles of flat staright tarmac,could not hold myself.I did it also coz i knew i could get away with it...could i do it again? Heck no.

@donddon...dare you try that in NY.I was driving at 75mph on a 65mph zone...was pulled over by state trooper in no time and had to pay a ticket of almost..$400..and four points to my licence.

@donddon...dare you try that in NY.I was driving at 75mph on a 65mph zone...was pulled over by state trooper in no time and had to pay a ticket of almost..$400..and four points to my licence.

Well I could say I feel for you, but then I would be lying.Am trying to deal with one for $800 for a photo radar ticket.I wanted to contest it then they sent me a freaking video of my offense.DAMN IT

C.R.B.C has a good way of managing their sections.They finish to the last detail, paint and move on.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6940393417_3dba6fb96d_b.jpg
main carriage

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6940393247_c056fdf930_b.jpg
service road.

^^ this must be in Embakasi. Now what they need to do is upgrade Outer Ring Road to a dual carriageway because it is a serious traffic bottleneck all the way from Allsops to the airport

C.R.B.C has a good way of managing their sections.They finish to the last detail, paint and move on.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6940393417_3dba6fb96d_b.jpg






I think that eventually a cable guardrail should be inserted as the median barrier because they're cheap and effective, and can be inserted in no time. It'll keep cars from trying to cross over to the other side.:yes:

And are the vehicles parking there allowed to park there? I should think it will destroy the road and its shoulders in a very short time.

Dhuks,
Thanks for sharing these shots. This is a positive development. I agree with Samounde that parking trucks along the highway will damage it very fast. Let's hope someone with more authority than us is also thinking about this and planning to do something about it soonest.

And are the vehicles parking there allowed to park there? I should think it will destroy the road and its shoulders in a very short time.

Now if you are complaining of those that are parked at the shoulders what will you say of these?
NB:There were numerous trailers parked infront of this car(look where the trailer in the first photo is)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6797733474_4a4c00826f_b.jpg

Let me add a few more shots of the nearly completed sections of the Eastern Bypass as you approach Mombasa road. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6959326449_d27747bc3b_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6959326901_c247488c46_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6813216064_08eec380a0_b.jpg

^^^^ does the by pass have service roads?? and is it dual all the way?:cheers:

^^^^ does the by pass have service roads?? and is it dual all the way?:cheers:

check post 103,109,110. dual only from army gate then all the way to mombasa road.

Let me add a few more shots of the nearly completed sections of the Eastern Bypass as you approach Mombasa road. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6959326449_d27747bc3b_b.jpg

Road looks good.What is the progress on the interchange at cabanas-mombasa road?

Now if you are complaining of those that are parked at the shoulders what will you say of these?
NB:There were numerous trailers parked infront of this car(look where the trailer in the first photo is)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6797733474_4a4c00826f_b.jpg

hahaha! salala! I think i should start a towing company in Kenya. Inaonekana i will make good money towing illegally parked cars like this one.

that looks superb! I only wish they had street lights and traffic lights on the off ramps from the by passes being built. Thanks for the posts though.

check post 103,109,110. dual only from army gate then all the way to mombasa road.

thanks

Road looks good.What is the progress on the interchange at cabanas-mombasa road?

The Mombasa road overpass is basically complete. They are now working on the section after the overpass to create the entry and exits on Mombasa road (city-bound side of Mombasa road). They are also finalizing the slip roads that connect with the Mlolongo bound side of Mombasa road. I hope this makes sense.

The Mombasa road overpass is basically complete. They are now working on the section after the overpass to create the entry and exits on Mombasa road (city-bound side of Mombasa road). They are also finalizing the slip roads that connect with the Mlolongo bound side of Mombasa road. I hope this makes sense.

I hope you are right coz last time i was there the overpass was not even connected to the roads you have showcased in terms of land-fill.

Ghosh,that rd is nice and i'm a little jelous it is not our ngong rd.Can't they plant some grass/trees in the median to keep dust away?Its something to think about to make our towns cleaner.

Coming from mombasa how does one access this bypass?

^^ Unapitia katikati! :colgate:

But seriuously I think you access the bypass at the former city cabanas,I might be wrong though.

in feb one could access it at cabanas but you had to drive and turn as you were heading back to the airport but i presume the overpass junction is complete by now.

in feb one could access it at cabanas but you had to drive and turn as you were heading back to the airport but i presume the overpass junction is complete by now.

I bet that the same configuration will be retained otherwise how else could it be?

I used the whole stretch of this road yesterday and i don't recall seeing any construction equipment the whole stretch, dunno whether they have shifted all their equipment to the southern bypass.
NB:City Cabannas interchange still undone
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/7053197819_15b2cba532_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7203/7053197799_7259a8c572_b.jpg

Thanks for the updates DHUKS.Road looks good.But i see it has no street lights.I wish it would look like this at night.

http://www.westberks.gov.uk/media/image/j/j/_T1C2436-low-res_1.jpg

Thanks for the updates DHUKS.Road looks good.But i see it has no street lights.I wish it would look like this at night.



They would look out of place in the first photo(in a remote location) but fairly alright in the second one(Kangundo road junction)

Are there no signs on the roads

Are there no signs on the roads

I think we have to think of how to put up signs on our roads; even if they are concrete signs!

I think we have to think of how to put up signs on our roads; even if they are concrete signs!

+1

Signage is key to road safety. Just back from an expedition to Turkana North, and whilst using the dilapidated Lodwar-Lokichoggio road, I was impressed by the abundance of clear road signage (although it was a potholed mess of a road).

Then, we need clean roads, at least weekly. After a little downpour, you can hardly tell where the road surface ends and where the dirt begins on almost all our roads.

+1

Signage is key to road safety. Just back from an expedition to Turkana North, and whilst using the dilapidated Lodwar-Lokichoggio road, I was impressed by the abundance of clear road signage (although it was a potholed mess of a road).

Then, we need clean roads, at least weekly. After a little downpour, you can hardly tell where the road surface ends and where the dirt begins on almost all our roads.

we need both private and municipal governments that will challenge each other to keeping our roads safe and clean

This i have to ask. Work on this bypass seems to have come to a close but the last 500m or so is taking too long, i think as soon as the southern bypass was commissioned all the equipment was moved there leaving the last interchange at city cabannas undone or was there some unwelcome development that arose?

This i have to ask. Work on this bypass seems to have come to a close but the last 500m or so is taking too long, i think as soon as the southern bypass was commissioned all the equipment was moved there leaving the last interchange at city cabannas undone or was there some unwelcome development that arose?

Dhuks, I heard something some day when Caroline of KISS 100 was hosting Roads PS about some lawsuit by some private developer seeking compensation to the tune of a few billions

Dunno whether it was the interchange, but my impression was he was referring to the Cabanas side

From Thika road blog

http://www.thikaroadblog.net/sites/default/files/imagepicker/2/BypassSignage4.jpg

http://www.thikaroadblog.net/sites/default/files/imagepicker/2/BypassSignage1.jpg

Dhuks, I heard something some day when Caroline of KISS 100 was hosting Roads PS about some lawsuit by some private developer seeking compensation to the tune of a few billions

Dunno whether it was the interchange, but my impression was he was referring to the Cabanas side

Could it be this one?
REVOCATION OF LAND TITLES BY GAZETTE NOTICE ILLEGAL
By Mukaindo Petronella

Isaac Gathungu Wanjohi & Another Vs the Attorney General & 6 Others [2012] eKLR (www.kenyalaw.org)
High court, at Nairobi-Constitutional and Human Rights Division
D.S. Majanja (J)
Date: 30th March, 2012

"The act of respondents carrying out the revocation of title through a process that lacks legal recognition and thereafter entering the property of the petitioners is clear breach of the petitioners’ due process rights. Even where the Constitution does not recognize rights unlawfully acquired, it does not give the State and its agencies a carte blanche to do as it wishes outside the confines of the law."

The High Court has reiterated the legal position that revocation of land titles by way of gazette notices is unconstitutional and ineffectual. Holding that such land revocations must be through a legally established mechanism, the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the court stated that due process of the law had to be followed even in cases of compulsory acquisition of land. It is immaterial that such land titles may have been acquired irregularly because even such assertions were subject to be proved through a court process. It is likewise irrelevant whether the process leading to the revocation is based on recommendations arising from a consultative process such as a task force because according to the court, such recommendations have no force of law and hence cannot be a substitute to following the due process of the law.

This holding arose from yet another case that concerns land that is situated at the junction of Airport Road and the Mombasa-Nairobi Road and is part of land that was intended for construction of the Eastern Bypass. The Ministry of Roads, the commissioner of Lands and Kenya Urban Roads Authority were some of the respondents in this petition.

The petitioners in this case contended that the trespass upon their land was an infringement of their right to property protected under Article 40 of the Constitution. Dr Kuria, counsel for the petitioners emphasized on the doctrine of indefeasibility of title and the protections afforded to property by the Constitution of Kenya and maintained that the grant issued to the petitioners constituted a contractual obligation by the State which could not be revoked at a whim without due process.

The counsel further relied on the case of Kuria Greens Limited v Registrar of Titles and Another [2011] eKLR where the court held that the Registrar of Titles had no authority to cancel a land title by way of gazette notice and that only a court could do so when the title in question was been obtained through fraud and or mistake and only where it was not a first registration.

It was the petitioners’ assertion that it was the state’s duty to uphold the law and it was unacceptable for it to use the nature of the project to circumvent the provisions of law. The petitioners argued that in so far as the state had acted arbitrarily and failed to observe the law, it was liable for damages and asked the court to grant amounts totaling to kshs 7.5 million, being an award for general and exemplary damages against the respondents.

The petitioners further sought for a court declaration that the respondents had contravened their right to property under Article 40(1) and (3) of the Constitution and asked the court to grant a permanent injunction restraining the respondents from allowing the Eastern by-pass to pass across their land or any further interference with the suit property.

The respondents on the other hand contended that the land in question had been planned and set aside as a buffer zone for Mombasa Road way back in the 1980’s and that the zone was intended for the future expansion of Mombasa Road. Mr Mutinda, state counsel representing the respondents argued that registration of the petitioners as proprietor of the suit property was fraudulent because it knowingly and wrongfully defeated the unregistered interest of the Ministry of Roads to the road buffer zone set aside for Mombasa Road expansion and that therefore, the petitioners did not deserve protection of the court in accordance with Article 40(6) of the Constitution. Article 40(6) provides that the protection on rights to property do not extend to any property found to have been unlawfully acquired.

The respondents also averred that since the title of the suit property was revoked vide a Gazette Notice which had revoked several titles including the petitioners’, such title was no longer in existence and the procedure for compulsory acquisition of land set out in the Land Acquisition Act could therefore not apply. They further pointed out that the public benefits of construction of the Mombasa Road far outweighed the private interests of the petitioners.

It was the respondents’ contention that furthermore, the revocation of the title had been done after a consultative process, the Government having on the 26th January, 2011constituted a task force known as Private Sector Working Group on Land Acquisitions for the Nairobi Urban Toll Road and Bypasses whose recommendations included that certain land titles be revoked.

In making its determination, the court was wary of two other pending suits closely touching on same property whose disposition would consequentially determine ownership and legality of the petitioners’ title and steered away from granting some of the orders sought in the petition which would in effect determine the pending suits to the prejudice of the parties in those suits.

Justice Majanja in this case observed that the state’s claim that the suit property was acquired illegally was an issue that needed to be settled through the due process of the law as contemplated under Article 40(6) of the Constitution. The state was required to strictly follow the laid down procedures as was held in the case of Commissioner of Land & Another v Coast Acquaculture Limited KLR (E & L) 264.
On finding that the petitioners’ right to the due process under Article 47 of the Constitution had been violated, the court awarded a sum of 1million Kenya shillings to the petitioners not as compensation but as damages ‘to vindicate the petitioner’s right to due process which had been infringed.’

While upholding an earlier court finding in the Kuria Greens Limited case, the court opined that ‘unlawful acquisition’referred to in Article 40(6) of the Constitution had to be through a legally established process and not by whim or revocation of the Gazette Notice as the Commissioner of Lands had purported to do. Hence, such action was illegal, null and void in so far as it purported to revoke that title, the court said.
The court further found that the respondents’ assertion that the revocations were pursuant to recommendations by a task force could not hold water because even such consultative processes could in no way be a substitute for due process nor justify the taking away of the petitioner’s title by way of a Gazette Notice. In any case, such recommendations bore no force of law.

The court was however reluctant to grant the relief of injunction observing that the remedy was an equitable and discretionary remedy and that the court had to weigh the respective interests of the respective parties. In finding that the petitioners’ interests must yield to the public interest, the court noted that there was an option for the petitioners in this case to pursue the state for full compensation and damages in the event the court found that the property had been unlawfully acquired, and the state would be able to satisfy such claim for damages. The court accordingly adopted the words of the court in the case of Maisha Nishike Limited v Commissioner of Lands & 3 Others [2011] eKLR where it was stated: "The project that has stalled is of great public benefit. There is no denial that the government is likely to pay a considerable amount of liquidated damages due to delay in finalisation of the project. The ex-parte applicant does not stand to gain at all from such delay."

The court further directed that if the State wished to commence legal proceedings to establish the legality or otherwise of the parcel of land in question, it could do so within 12 months from the date of the judgement.

I seriously hope the madness will not begin.
The government has officially taken over the maintenance of the Eastern bypass, after the defects liability period ended early this week.

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority will now be in-charge of both routine and periodic maintenance of the section between Embakasi Garison and Road (C63) Kiambu-Ruiru Road. The Chinese contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation, who has won admiration from the locals, handed over the section to the authority, after fulfilling all the contractual obligations and an inspection of works.

The handing over of completed road projects back to the government is a rare occurrence among local contractors, who are notorious for leaving projects mid-way. Among the road projects lying uncompleted around the city are Enterprise Road, Landhies Road, Kipande Road and Likoni Road. The Eastern by-pass section is 26kms with a fully marked road of thermo plastic paint, three major box culverts at Nairobi River, Gatharaini River, Kamiti River, two over-passes at Kangundo Road and Ruiru railway over-pass with guard rails installed at specific locations.

The Assistant Team leader Eng. Wilfred Oginga, said section of the road has been open to the public since March 2011 and has become a popular link for motorists plying Thika, Kiambu and Ruaka routes from Mombasa Road, as they avoid traffic congestion on Uhuru Highway. "The traffic volume has increased tremendously both in the Eastern and the Northern part near Ruiru. The road has opened eastern part of the city linking it to Thika and has diverted traffic from Outer Ring Road," he said.

He said the major beneficiaries when the City Cabanas interchange is finalised, will be motorists from Embakasi, Kangundo and Ruai. Goods destined for JKIA from counties in Central and Rift Valley region, can now reach the airport using the by-pass. Eng. Odinga said, it now takes less than an hour from JKIA to United Nations offices in Nairobi, using the Northern and Eastern by-pass, which is a great improvement as opposed to Mombasa Road-Uhuru Highway-Forest Road and the Limuru Road route.

The Eastern by-pass stretches from Mombasa Road at City Cabanas, through Kangundo Road and joins the Northern by-pass at Ruiru, The remaining section (City Cabanas interchange) is expected to be complete in coming months.

???

forest rd-kiambu rd to (norhtbypass?)-to thick rd -(i believe this section is complete video shot much earlier-cellphone not clear)
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courtsey of Annmedia services-youtube

This must a new low, apparently the interchange at Cabanas has not been completed not because there is a court case but because the government has not paid for the land acquired for the interchange :bash:
email jcheboi@kura.go.ke

This must a new low, apparently the interchange at Cabanas has not been completed not because there is a court case but because the government has not paid for the land acquired for the interchange :bash:
email jcheboi@kura.go.ke

C'mon! Someone is eating somewhere.How long will this interchange take.

C'mon! Someone is eating somewhere.How long will this interchange take.

Peter Kenneth let the cat out of the bag yesterday, the owner of the plot where the interchange is envisaged is demanding more than it has cost to build the whole stretch from Mombasa road to Thika road....ouch.

Peter Kenneth let the cat out of the bag yesterday, the owner of the plot where the interchange is envisaged is demanding more than it has cost to build the whole stretch from Mombasa road to Thika road....ouch.

Cancel the lease and pay the owner fair price for the land. The national interest and public good should take precedence over individual selfishness

Peter Kenneth let the cat out of the bag yesterday, the owner of the plot where the interchange is envisaged is demanding more than it has cost to build the whole stretch from Mombasa road to Thika road....ouch.

Talk about getting greedy :ohno:

eminent domain?

Even in the case of eminent domain, i believe if the governement and landowner cannot agree on compensation, a legal battle will follow

Some of the latest photos (http://www.megaprojects.co.ke/blog/city-cabanas-flyover-land-aquisition-gone-slow)

Either the landowners have gone crazy or there is some high level corruption involved in this project

Already, the Government has paid some of the landowners around City Cabanas in Nairobi a total of Sh4.7 billion, an Engineer at the Ministry of Roads has revealed.

A kilometre of tarmac road costs between Sh50 million and Sh70 million to complete. The landowners who have so far been paid occupy just one kilometre of the total road distance and compensation could end up accounting for up to 30 per cent of the final cost of the project.

The bypass, which links Mombasa Road to Ruiru-Kiambu Road, part of the Northern Bypass, was initially projected to cost Sh4.2 billion in 2011.

The amount spent paying landowners around City Cabanas amounts to half the Sh8.5 billion originally budgeted for both the Eastern and Northern bypasses combined. The Eastern bypass crosses Kangundo road after Ruai past the Embakasi Garrison and North Airport Road.

The two together with the Southern bypass are part of Vision 2030 infrastructure projects. Their construction began in 2009 as part of projects to decongest city roads and China Road and Bridge was awarded the tender. The Eastern and Northern bypasses together were to cost the Government Sh8.5 billion to build.

According to the engineer who asked not to be named since he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the ministry, landowners demanded Sh150 to Sh200 million before surrendering their undeveloped parcels, more than triple the price of two years ago.

In some cases, the cost of acquiring land is almost the same as the cost of constructing the road itself.

An acre of undeveloped land in Upperhill, where a bypass is being constructed, costs between Sh300 million and Sh500 million.

“The prices are almost criminal, owners are charging with the sole aim of extorting the government. If the trend continues the prices will become too prohibitive for the government to undertake such projects in the future,” said the engineer.

Shortage of funds

The engineer told The Standard that initially, lack of enough money to compensate landowners had stalled the construction of the bypass at City Cabanas for nearly a year.

“Given that some of the landowners were influential people in the Government and business world, they often dictated the prices at which they would sell their parcels,” said the engineer.

This consequently pushed up the general prices of land in Nairobi, a trend that was quickly picked up in other major towns.

“Those with money bought land along proposed roads for speculative purposes and the net effect was inflation of land prices across the country,” he said.

He suggested that the National Land Commission come up with guidelines on how to compensate owners of land the Government intends to acquire for infrastructure development.

Roads Permanent Secretary Eng Michael Kamau yesterday expressed concern that skyrocketing land prices might hamper Government efforts to build much-needed roads in urban areas.

Eng Kamau said landowners in major towns, such as Nairobi are charging prohibitively exorbitant prices making it very difficult and tedious to acquire land for expansion of critical public infrastructure.

“Roads authorities are spending approximately 30 per cent of the project cost on compensating land owners who may be affected. Where disputes arise as to the value of the land these can sometimes lead to delays in project completion with resultant costs overruns,” said the PS.

Mr Kamau said that completion of the road is set to commence soon after the remaining landowners are compensated.

Several buildings near the bypass have already been demolished to pave way for construction work to go on.

The law allows the Government to compulsorily acquire land for public projects. Normally the Government values the worth of the land it ought to acquire, but the new Constitution protects the right of the landowner to accept or reject the price quoted by the Government.

Mr Kamau said that delays have also been experienced where services such as power lines and sewers have to be relocated for construction works to proceed thus pushing up the cost of construction.

“In the past the service providers would be paid to relocate their services but this has been changed by the new Roads Act.

The act requires that the service providers relocate the services at their own cost,” he said.

The country witnessed a massive expansion of infrastructure under retired President Kibaki’s 10-year rule. It was under his watch that the Thika Superhighway was built.

The project opened up Thika Road and instantly reduced traffic gridlocks that had become endemic in that part of the city.

Highways were also constructed in various parts of the country, thus making transportation much easier and cheaper.

But as it is the norm in such cases, businessmen were also waiting to cash in on this unprecedented growth.

By Kipchumba Some, The Standard

:banana: I have seen the buildings around the flyover have been brough down.... does this really mean that the issue has finally been resolved?:banana:

:banana: I have seen the buildings around the flyover have been brough down.... does this really mean that the issue has finally been resolved?:banana:

When was that? That would be very welcome.

Yes. The building next to the fly over along Mombasa Road opp City Cabanas has been stripped and cleared. Not demolished. This is a sensible method. The amount they are being compensated for is what boggles the mind.

Yes. The building next to the fly over along Mombasa Road opp City Cabanas has been stripped and cleared. Not demolished. This is a sensible method. The amount they are being compensated for is what boggles the mind.

Am sure they have valuers who can tell the true costs of the land, there is no way the kenya government can be fooled unless some one is pulling some strings behind the scene.

Am sure they have valuers who can tell the true costs of the land, there is no way the kenya government can be fooled unless some one is pulling some strings behind the scene.

Unless you don't believe the Kaengineer who revealed that they have paid 4.7b while the road is to cost 4.2b. He may know something more than us.

Finally news that the interchange will be ready in four months.

Thats good news.where did u get it frm?

Its was in the daily nation newspaper yesterday...

A tune of 4billion ksh was churned out to pay those land owners

How is it that the two governmental entities have two different figures on the width of the road? People in Runda stand to lose millions in property because they were issued with title deeds on what the government now claims is public property. Looks like these people purchased land in good faith while relying on the relevant government Ministry to furnish accurate documents. The courts ought to require that the government compensate them - at market value - should their properties be demolished.

29 Runda residents appeal against High Court order to surrender land for road
Updated Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 23:01 GMT +3
The Government acquired the land from the original owners Edith Cockburn, Estav Limited and Runda Coffee Estate in 1970.

The Government later leased part of the land to property developing firms, Cycad Properties Limited in December 2003. Other parcels were sold to individuals who put up homes.

The dispute between the Government and residents revolves around the width of the land reserved for construction of the road.

Residents claim when they purchased the land, official documents at the Lands Ministry indicated the road reserve was 60 meters wide.

The Roads Ministry however, insists the road was 80 meters wide and that residents had encroached on public property.

The dispute started in 2010 when the Government earmarked the premises for demolition to recover the 20 extra meters of the road width. The 21-kilometre road connects Ruaka Trading Center on Limuru Road and Kiambu Road passing through Runda.

Residents filed two separate petitions that were consolidated and heard together.

The residents sued the Attorney General, the ministries of Lands and Roads, the Kenya National Highways Authority and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

Government clearance

One of the residents Elizabeth Wambui Githinji says her family acquired the property in Runda Mimosa and got the certificate of lease on July 25, 1995. She then put up her home.

She says before putting up her house, she got approvals from the City Council of Nairobi and other Government agencies.

The petitioners claimed they got clearance from various Government agencies before they commenced the development and were never informed that the road reserve was 80 meters. But the Roads Ministry was categorical that it was originally 80 metres.

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000085077&story_title=runda-residents-appeal-against-order-to-surrender-land

The chiness started working on city cabanus on tuesday

http://www.kura.go.ke/images/stories/northern%20bypass.png

av just seen the chinese doing their work today... n the other blue building nxt to the one that is already demolished also being brought down. Great step ahead

Driving on the Eastern Bypass

June 2013

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