Relief for Ruiru residents as Thika Road footbridge construction commences

Residents of Kihunguro in Ruiru, Kiambu County can sigh with relief following the approval of a footbridge at the Thika superhighway, nearly 20 years after the road was upgraded.

For over 19 years, an estimated 2,000 residents of Biashara and Gatong’ora wards have had to cross the busy highway daily from both sides risking their lives and some even dying in the process.

Now this is set to be a thing of the past, after a successful meeting between locals and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) agreed on the construction of a footbridge that is estimated to cost over Sh100 million.

The meeting chaired by Ruiru Deputy County Commissioner Julius Too and attended by Biashara ward MCA Kimani Wa Nduta among others, was told the project will be completed in one-and-a-half years.

“This project is a big relief for a huge population of Ruiru sub county who have been crossing the highway daily for many years and some even lost their lives after being knocked down by speeding vehicles,” said Too who was accompanied by area sub county police commander Charles Kibathi.

The construction contract, he added, has already been awarded and work commences in the next few days.

Too appealed to locals and motorists to co-operate with the contractor once the construction works begin.

At the same time, the DCC warned pedestrians against walking under the bridge once it is complete, as witnessed elsewhere.

Wa Nduta on his part welcomed the move saying it will go a long way in eliminating traffic jams that have been experienced at the zebra crossing section of the road.

The MCA also called on KeNHA to convene another meeting with locals to address the proposed construction of public amenities nearby which he said did not involve residents.

Once the construction of the footbridge is completed, KeNHA is expected to remove speed bumps erected on the road which have contributed to traffic snarl ups.