Ruai deputy county commissioner Patrick Muli (L), Kasarani sub-county administrator Henry Momanyi, Muthwani MCA George Kingori, Ruai ward administrator Jane Ndanu, Ruai assistant county commissioner Maureen Ondari, resident Phebe Ndunge and Roads, Public Works representative Caroline Kinywa inspect Kamulu - Kasarani Polytechnic Road on Saturday, December 16, 2017. (Photo/Maugo Owiti/hivisasa.com)
Residents of Kamulu in Mavoko, Machakos County have barricaded roads used by trucks from quarries protesting the deplorable state of the roads and too much dust.
They claimed they had lost kins to dust-related diseases while others had died after being run over by speeding lorries at their doorsteps, a majority of the locals are sick due to dust.
The situation prompted locals living along Kamulu – Kasarani Polytechnic Road at the border of Machakos and Nairobi Counties close the only road that was being used by the transporters after the others in Muthwani Ward, Machakos County were barricaded for the same reason four days ago.
“We have buried our children due to the dust, a woman succumbed in the neighborhood after she was run over by a truck killing her on the spot at her doorstep a few days ago,” said residents’ spokesperson Anne Wangari.
Wangari spoke to the Star on Kamulu – Kasarani Road on Saturday.
They threatened to demonstrate if the roads were forcibly opened up by authorities.
The locals said they had been facing the roads problems for the last four years.
“This is too much, whenever we get to the hospital for medication doctors tell us to vacate from our homes and move away from the dust,” said Wangari.
She said they cannot move from their residents and properties which they had toiled had to own.
The over 5,000 residents said they will not open the roads until they were fixed by relevant authorities.
Wangari said more than 500 trucks use the roads on daily basis 24/07.
The drivers are now using Ngelani – Dramvell – Kamulu Road as the only alternative.
Owners of the land they are passing own charge the drivers between Sh50 and Sh200 per lorry per trip as Nairobi County Government charges Sh1,000 per lorry per trip as taxes.
Ruai deputy county commissioner Patrick Muli called a crisis meeting to discuss the issue and find a solution.
Muli said the roads will be graded to avert the situation.
“These roads have been closed by angry residents due to their deplorable state and dust, we are sorting it out and already have some equipment on the ground as we wait for instructions from the engineer,” said Muli.
Muli said he coordinated the meeting with relevant authorities to see on how to develop a partnership among transporters, Machakos and Nairobi County governments and residents for a temporary solution as they await long-lasting solution.
The meeting was attended by Kasaran sub-county administrator Henry Momanyi, Ruai assistant county commissioner Maureen Ondari, Ruai ward administrator Jane Ndanu, Muthwani MCA George Kingori and Caroline Kinywa from Roads and Public Works Nairobi.