Residents welcome expansion of Eastern Bypass into dual carriageway

The expansion of the 28-kilometer road which stretches through busy centers such as City Cabanas, Pipeline, Utawala, and Ruiru is being undertaken by the China Communication Construction Company Limited.

Locals have for many years braved the traffic congestion from the 75 bus stop (opposite the military barracks) all the way to Githunguri estate in Utawala. James Osiemo, a matatu driver says driving along the route has been a daunting task.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Osiemo added that peak hour traffic is worse, with the roads blocked on either side-thanks to overlapping. "For five years now, the 75 stage has taken me double the time from town to Githunguri, a distance that would normally take me between 10-15 minutes," he said.

Jane Muthui, a regular commuter on the road, noted that the expansion of the road was long overdue. "When vehicles overlap along this stretch, controlling traffic is a headache for the officers manning the busy road. I just can’t wait for the highway to be completed," she adds in a tone of finality.

We meet Chris Momanyi, a tout along the route, at the General Service Unit (GSU) bus stop. "I hope the contractor will consider the number of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) plying the route," he tells us.

With the launch of the road due in June this year, the contractor has tarmacked sections of it, with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) keen on alleviating suffering of road users.