Expansion of Ngata stretch sparks safety concerns as residents criticise design
Photo of the expanded Ngata section.
The expansion of the 3.9 kilometre stretch of the Nakuru-Eldoret highway between Ngata Gate and Ngata Bridge began in January 2024 after numerous accidents were reported along the stretch.
However, the project has not been without its challenges.
Residents in the area acknowledge that the upgrade is a positive step for motorists, but have raised concerns about the road design, questioning whether it adequately addresses the needs of those who use the road on a daily basis.
In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Martha Swagi, a resident of Ngata, described the lasting effects of the frequent accidents.
Martha Swagi, a resident at Ngata explaining how they have been straggling with road usage especially crossing the expanded Ngata dual road.
"Every time you hear a loud bang, the first thing you say is 'it's happened again'," she said, highlighting the fear the accidents have caused.
Ms Swagi pointed out that 12 months into the project, residents are still struggling with problems such as poor drainage and difficulties for pedestrians crossing due to the road's wide design.
"Our children are also affected. You can't trust an 8, 10 or 14-year-old to cross this road safely. The road is too wide and there's no clear provision for pedestrian crossings," she added.
Boda Boda Chairperson - Ngata Stage , Job Nyamweya, during an interview at Ngata Stage.
Similarly, Job Nyamweya, the boda boda chairperson at Ngata Stage, raised concerns about the bottleneck design of the road when heading into town.
"We had six accidents here about a month ago. This drainage was only fixed last week, but trailers coming downhill think it's one-way and often end up in the ditch. They're lucky if they don't collide with matatus," he said, illustrating the frequency of accidents.
According to Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) corridor director Eng. Kibet Terigin, the main work on the carriageway has been completed and they are preparing to build the central reservation.
Mr Terigin assured the public that the road design is safe and that additional measures such as speed bumps and enforcement signs will be put in place to ensure that vehicles heading to Nakuru can safely merge from the dual carriageway onto the bridge.
Ngata resident protesting how the prolonged road expansion is a nuisance to them.
"When this is completed, we will also implement further measures to improve safety," he added.