Nairobi News

The Southern Bypass is now open for use by trucks weighing more than eight tons and other vehicles.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero on Sunday opened the road that was closed a week ago for gravelling.

“The re-opening of the Southern Bypass is a major step in decongesting the city.

“Heavy vehicles weighing more than eight tons, which have been clogging our city roads, have been diverted to the bypass,” said Dr Kidero.

The Bunyala Road and Lusaka Road roundabouts will remain unblocked for the time being, a relief to motorists who got stuck in traffic when they were partially blocked.

However, Dr Kidero said the county government’s plan to remove all roundabouts in the city and replace them with signalled junctions was on course.

“We are done with the design. They have already been reviewed by the consultants,” said the governor.

“We will also have one way in our streets.”

Truck drivers on Sunday raised concern over the status of the bypass, saying it required more work.

They said the road would not last long and would be full of potholes due to the heavy trucks, they said.

Heavy trucks from Mombasa will enter the bypass at Ole Sereni Hotel and exit at Kikuyu Town, while those coming from western Kenya will enter at Kikuyu exit at Ole Sereni.

The changes are part of a plan by the Nairobi City County and the Transport ministry to establish an integrated transport system.

The system, which incorporates a commuter rail system and a regulated matatu sector, would enable the city to grow and attract investments and jobs, according to Dr Kidero.