Heavy traffic jam along Outer Ring Road in Nairobi. The road is currently under construction. [Photo|Nairobi News]
The government has asked traders operating on Outer Ring Road to vacate or face eviction as the project nears completion.
Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) said it had issued notices to the hundreds of small-scale traders to vacate the road corridor.
In a statement seen by the Standard on Wednesday, KURA acting Director General Silas Kinoti said they had planned a meeting with all players to jointly address the problems of the corridor clearance and safety issues.
"We have issued notices to the traders to vacate the road corridor to allow for completion of construction," said Kinoti.
SinoHydro Corporation, a Chinese company constructing the road, have since the project started had been engaging in the blame game with traders, with each side accusing the other of interference.
While the traders complain of constant clouds of dust that keep away clients, the company say the road would be of help once completed.
The 13-kilometre road which is expected to be completed in July next year, is currently at 87 percent completion, with the main carriageway completed and opened to traffic.
"The execution to completion of all the outstanding works including footbridges, street lighting, landscaping and construction of sections of service roads is ongoing," Kinoti said.
The KURA boss also expressed concern over motorists parking along the road including at the median section initially preserved for development of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT).
"We are in the process of installing guardrails as a safety measure to prevent vehicles from accessing it. In addition, the BRT corridor is being landscaped to make it neat," Kinoti added.
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