Unclog traffic around your mall, city tycoon told
Residents of two upmarket estates want tycoon Stanley Githunguri to expand a section of Kiambu Road to reduce traffic jams near one of his prime properties.
Residents in the posh Runda and Ridgeways estates want the former Kiambaa MP to construct acceleration lanes near Nakumatt Ridgeways shopping mall on Kiambu Road.
In a petition to the County Assembly, the residents also want the entrance and the exit of the mall moved off Kiambu Road.
The petition, filed by Karura/Muthaiga Ward Rep Kamau Thuo and signed by residents, argues that the entrance and the exit of the mall block passing motorists as shoppers drive in and out of mall, causing unnecessary snarl-ups.
The stationary vehicles, the petitioners said, are prone to accidents as rogue matatus zoom past them, overlap to beat the jams.
“Traffic jams begin at the CID headquarters, going all the way to the mall. It is now taking an hour and half to drive the three-to-four kilometre stretch in the mornings and evenings,” said Mr Thuo.
Borne the brunt
The acceleration lanes, Mr Thuo said, would ensure that those getting into the mall know how to enter, while those going past the mall would not be affected.
Mr Thuo was seconded by Roysambu Wards Rep Peter Warutere. Residents of both Roysambu and Karura/ Muthaiga wards have borne the brunt of the mall’s inconvenience.
Ridgeways Springs Resident Association (Risra) chairman, however, said they appreciated the mall because of its economic value and convenience.
“We are now experiencing very serious inconveniences even to motorists going to Runda and Kiambu town. We are seeking an extra input by the owners to make the stretch safer,” said Mr Kinuthia.
Mr Githunguri owns the prime property which houses Nakumatt Supermarket , several banks, fast food eateries and other high-end shops.
County Assembly Speaker Alex Ole Magelo accepted the first ever petition at the Assembly on Thursday, saying it would compel the County Government to take up the matter with Mr Githunguri immediately.
Mr Magelo cited the petition as urgent and important due to its spill-over effect to those travelling to the city through the Thika Super Highway.
The effect is that while the highway is smooth all the way, jams catch up with motorists from the Muthaiga Police Station Roundabout to Pangani inter exchange.