Traders, boda boda riders and residents along the Muhoroni-Mamboleo Road have welcomed the ongoing transformation of the route.
The road had remained in poor condition for more than two decades, with potholes and dust affecting boda boda operators, motorists, traders and other residents.
The ongoing road works have raised hopes that improved transport will attract investment, create employment and make it easier for residents to access essential services.
Duke Gesora, a boda boda rider and resident of Mamboleo, said he moved to the area in 2014 and found the road already in poor condition.
He said the state of the road had significantly affected boda boda operators and other residents who depended on it for their daily activities.
Read More
"This road has been in poor condition for more than 20 years. I came here in 2014 and found the road in a bad state, and it has greatly affected people such as us in the boda boda business," he said.
Duke said the poor condition of the road also affected the number of customers visiting the area.
He noted that dust from the road discouraged people from travelling to Mamboleo, while motorists were also deterred by the numerous potholes.
"We used to lose customers because of the dust coming from this road. Many people were afraid of the dust. Those who owned cars were also afraid to come to Mamboleo because of the potholes that were all over the road," he added.
Duke expressed optimism that completion of the road would bring significant benefits to residents and businesses.
He said investors had started returning to the area and that increased investment would create development opportunities and jobs, particularly for young people.
"We believe that once this road is completed, we will benefit greatly. Investors have started coming back. They will bring development and we will get jobs. Young people will also get employment," he further said.
The improved road has also benefited traders such as Victoria Owino, who sells fish, tomatoes, onions and bhajia.
She said the road was previously characterised by mud and water, making it difficult for vehicles and customers to access businesses.
Owino said transport has become easier and cheaper since the road improvements began, with motorbikes making it easier for traders and residents to collect goods and move around, including at night.
Residents have also linked the improved road to renewed investor interest in Mamboleo, saying better transport infrastructure could encourage more businesses to return to the area.
This comes days after the Ministry of Interior issued an update on the ongoing expansion of the 30.4-kilometre Jomvu-Mariakani road into a dual carriageway.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 4, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the project expands the road from two lanes to four lanes.
Omollo noted that the dualling of the road, which is part of the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, is expected to improve the movement of cargo along the northern corridor.
"The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is implementing the 30.4-kilometre Jomvu–Mariakani Lot 2 project, upgrading a key section of the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway (A8) into a modern dual carriageway
"The project expands the corridor from two to four lanes, easing congestion and improving the movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor," he said.
Omollo also said the highway will feature retaining walls in challenging terrain around Mazeras, improved drainage systems, pedestrian footbridges and reserved truck parking facilities.
Further, Omollo said the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is supporting the project through coordinated traffic management and local administrative measures to ensure safe and smooth movement of motorists, cargo and pedestrians.
