The Kiambu County government has been criticised for neglecting roads in Limuru and leaving them in a state of disrepair.
Potholes and ditches filled with dirty and mucky waters, especially in the rainy season, are a nightmare for road users.
Right from the turn into Kwa Mbira area from the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, one is met by deep potholes that a driver struggles to manoeuvre and avoid damaging their vehicle from the hits on the uneven road.
James Wachira, a driver, said, “It takes an unnecessarily long time driving from Kwa Mbira to Bata in Limuru Town. This is because of the bad state of the road that is usually temporarily repaired with shoddy materials and skill that it wears in matter of days.”
Wachira said vehicle owners suffer the blunt of the neglected roads as they have to keep repairing their vehicles at the garage, and also spend much more on fuel as the road is clogged with traffic most time of the day as cars move slowly to avoid the potholes.
Hannah Wambui, a resident of Limuru, said the road should even be expanded to allow easy movement of vehicles.
“The Kwa Mbira-Limuru road is very busy and in addition to the potholes, the road is very narrow making it difficult for big vehicles like trailers to easily pass another vehicle without stopping for the other to avoid a collision,” said Wambui.
Some vehicles drive off the road to avoid the potholes, inconveniencing the passengers walking beside the road.
Area MP, John Kiragu is an engineer and also a member of the transport committee at the national assembly.
Residents wonder why the MP does not come to their aid despite him holding a key position in the committee and also the knowledge and skills he holds as an engineer.
Good roads and other infrastructure are a key ingredient for a robust economy through attracting investors and easing the movement of goods and people.