Nakuru: Compensation talks dominated the first consequential engagement between the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), business operators, and residents on the proposed dualling of the busy Oginga Odinga Road within Nakuru’s Central Business District. The locals also demanded clear guarantees that employment opportunities from the Sh850 million project will prioritize them, especially youth, while calling for gender-inclusive hiring, urging authorities and contractors to go beyond informal, low-paying roles often assigned to women.
According to Kenya News Agency, there were also calls for gender parity in employment in the road project, with petitions that women should have meaningful roles that reflect their abilities and qualifications. During the engagement held at the County Hall, Vice chairman and board member of Nakuru Tourism Association Joseph Koech asked KURA to have more engagements with local residents and businesses and sensitize them about the project, noting there was need for assurance that businesses or individuals affected by the dualling will not be shortchanged.
While acknowledging that the upgrade will bring with it enormous advantages over the road in its current status, which was designed for a different economic era, Koech urged the project’s designers to evaluate all affected establishments including big hotels, whose assets run into millions of shillings. He stated, ‘There should be a clear compensation framework; we are not against the project at all. We support the road expansion and development, but our interests should be safeguarded before works commence.’
The 4.7-kilometre long dualling project will run from Subukia Roundabout to Westside Mall Roundabout and will also involve rehabilitation of the Pivot Roundabout to Evans Hospital Roundabout section. The works include a 7.0-meter-wide dual carriageway, open lined drains, culvert installation, road markings, safety provisions, and tree planting. Pedestrians will also benefit from footpaths using 60 mm thick colored precast paving blocks.
KURA Senior Civil Engineer Nicholas Chelimo stated that procurement and tendering for the job had been completed and a contract awarded. He added that the project will be implemented in one phase and is expected to be completed within 12 months. ‘What is pending is the signing of the contract. If the contract is signed within the next month, work will begin in 28 days,’ Chelimo said.
Engineer Chelimo pointed out that the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, Section 49, directs the encroachers to remove all structures and vacate the road reserves. He emphasized the importance of protecting and maintaining road corridors in urban national trunk roads. As mandated under the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, KURA is responsible for protecting and maintaining road corridors in urban national trunk roads.
He assured participants that the new road design will address drainage, with open-lined drains on both sides of the road and closed drains planned for built-up areas, adding that this will avert flooding. KURA affirmed that recruitment for skilled and semi-skilled jobs on the project would be based on merit rather than residence, though it encouraged locals to apply competitively.
Participants raised concern about increased noise and vibration levels during the road works, but KURA committed to undertaking a baseline noise survey before works begin. Contractors will be required to keep machinery well serviced, will not be allowed to work at night, and must abide by the Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution Control Regulations 2009. Continuous noise monitoring will be conducted throughout the project.
On security, all project staff will be required to wear branded reflector jackets on site and existing security barriers will be integrated into the project in consultation with stakeholders. KURA acknowledged challenges, including the relocation of sewer lines, power lines, and waterlines along the corridor, saying engagement with Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASCO) was ongoing to identify utility locations and determine protection measures required before works commence.
