Nakuru’s Oginga Odinga Street’s planned expansion to displace business operators

Nakuru City's rapid growth over the years has seen morning and evening traffic congestion become a daily experience for motorists, with traffic police routinely deployed at major junctions to ease gridlock during peak hours.

The congestion, particularly along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway and its connecting roads, has prompted plans to expand one of the city's key link roads, with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) set to dual the Oginga Odinga Street.

South Rift Regional Director Eng John Orwa confirms the five-kilometre project will run from the overpass near Nyahururu Road to the Westside roundabout, creating a four-lane carriageway aimed at easing pressure on the busy highway.

“The road will be dualled from the overpass all the way to the Westside roundabout. It is about five kilometres, and the effect of that dualling will be felt by people doing business along the road because there are many businesses next to it,” he says.

Eng Orwa notes that stakeholder engagement with affected traders has already begun, although the timeline for relocation has not yet been determined.

“Due to the expansion, we have started stakeholder engagements, and we are still engaging them. However, the relocation date is yet to be defined, but they are aware they are supposed to give the right of way for the road to be done,” he says.

He confirms that procurement of the contractor and supervision team has already been completed, with mobilization to the site expected before the end of August.

According to Eng Orwa, the upgraded road will feature drainage channels on both sides, pedestrian walkways and a dual carriageway comprising two lanes in each direction separated by a central median.

He notes that the project requires a 30-metre road reserve, compared to the current road corridor, which measures slightly above 15 meters.

“People who are within that 30 metres will be affected,” he says, adding that the project is designed to reduce congestion on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, which experiences heavy traffic, especially during rush hour.

He adds that the Sh 850 million road is being designed to accommodate all categories of vehicles and will not be restricted to private motorists.

Eng Orwa further says the project will incorporate improved drainage infrastructure to help address flooding experienced in low-lying areas along the corridor.

“As far as the flooding is concerned, it is a big issue for those who are downstream because all the water from upstream affects them. We look forward to trying to address that using the drainage facilities that we will provide,” he says, as the project is expected to be completed within 24 months.