Residents of Nakuru county are set to benefit from Sh1.8 billion worth of low-volume sealed roads when the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) moves to ease traffic congestion in Nakuru town.The project that has taken three years to be complete seeks to pave 22 kilometres of roads diverting from the major highway, which is expected to reduce the number of vehicles that pass through the town’s centre.Daniel Muchiri the KURA Planning and Environment General Manager, toured project sites on Monday, said the roads will link several residential, industrial and trading centres.“Traffic congestion in Nakuru is caused by the fact that all vehicles must access the town even though they don’t need to,” said Mr Muchiri.The roads seek to improve the access to Nakuru GK Prison, London estate and part of the western side of the town and serve the Menengai and Milimani estates.The roads also link Industrial Area, Kaptembwa, Bondeni, Naka, Free Area and Mwariki estates of the eastern part of the town. A Chinese firm Weihai International Economic and Technical CCooperative is carrying oit the project and is set to run for 30 months. “We have not set a specific figure on the amount to be spent on the projects in Nakuru but it will be distributed across three financial years,” he said.Mr Muchiri also mentioned that Sh181.5 million had already been paid to the contractor to start the project.“The project also entails construction of walkways, culverts, bridges and soil erosion protectors,” he added.Sylvia Mwangi KURA’s South Rift Regional Manager said, the contractor was still mobilising equipment for implementation of the project.Mrs Mwangi added that KURA was carrying out a feasibility study on the construction of two bypasses.Mrs Sylvia continued to say that “We have suggested routes that are being examined for suitability and once it is done the project will kick off ”.“We have also been forced to reroute some essential services like water pipes, drainage systems and power lines falling within the road radius,” said Mr Muchiri.

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