Contractor puts barrier around gaping hole in Juja, but danger still lurks

Residents of Juja, in Kiambu county, say they are not satisfied with the recent works done on a gaping pit at the heart of the busy town.

In early May, Wananchi Reporting highlighted their cries over the dangerous hole sitting very close to the Thika superhighway.

According to the residents, the hole was endangering lives of motorists and pedestrians.

Days later, a contractor began fixing it; erecting a wall to hold the crumbling edges, plus putting in place a barrier made of thin concrete columns to prevent vehicles from tumbling in.

The hole is still left open, and now residents want the works redone.

“Kenya National Highways Authority officials had visited the area severally and took photos," said the residents.

“Recently when the issue was highlighted, a contractor was dispatched to work on it, but we are not satisfied with what they did. We expected them to at least cover the hole with a light slab,” said Boniface Mukundi, a bodaboda operator in the area.

Residents claim that barely a month after workers left the site, some columns have tilted after people leaned on them.

“The barrier is not strong enough, and pedestrians are still exposed to danger. There is no warning sign. The opening is still a death trap,” said Patrick Karani, a trader in the area.

Residents fear that children are more at risk as they walk to and from school, playing and oblivious of the hazard.