Kenya National Highways Authority has launched a grievances redress mechanism committee on the ongoing Dual carriage project on Mombasa Road.
The launch was officiated by Machakos County Commissioner Matilda Sakwa at a hotel in Athi River, Mavoko Sub County on Wednesday.
Sakwa said the committee will ensure grievances rising from residents due to the project are effectively addressed in line with the constitution.
She said government projects are meant to improve Kenyans living standards hence need for the committee to ensure plight of those affected by the dual carriage construction is looked into.
More than 300 residents will be directly affected by the project.
She announced Athi River deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding as the chairman of the committee.
Sakwa said the dualling of Athi River – Machakos turn of is aimed at easing traffic congestion and snarl-ups on Mombasa Road.
The Sh5.3 billion project will ensure dualling 20 Kilometers of the highway between Athi River and Kyumvi – Machakos town junction.
Its completion is expected to take 21 months.
Sakwa said the committee members should effectively represent the millions of residents and traders who will be affected by the project.
“You should know that whatever you are doing has an impact on this county’s security,” Sakwa told the committee members.
She said the committee should operate in good faith so as to guide both the project contractor and government on how best to handle issues arising from those who will be affected by the project affected and Athi River community at large.
“These are your taxes being used to implement the project, we are officially launching this committee today. The committee should address the residents’ grievances and present them to relevant authorities for resolutions,” said Sakwa.
“The committee’s chairman is the Athi deputy county commissioner Geoffrey Omoding since the entire project is within his area of jurisdiction,” added Sakwa.
Omoding said the community was anxious on the project’s completion.
“The committee will work very fast to ensure issues arising during the project’s implementation are effectively addressed,” said Omoding.
The committee comprises provincial administrators, government departmental heads, Machakos Government representative, representations from institutions, NGO’s, local companies, schools, police, traders, landlords, various focus groups and residents.