Educate motorists and pedestrians on Thika superhighway, Kara advices

THE Kenya Alliance Resident Associations has called on the government and the contractor working on Thika superhighway to resolve all environmental issues sorrounding the construction.

Thika road

The association also called on Kenya National Highways Authority to conduct thorough civic education on the highway’s usage before it is officially commissioned. On road safety, Kara’s Treasurer, Emphraim Kanake, said inadequate signage on the road especially for diversions had been blamed for numerous accidents.

Currently the drainage of liquid wastes from the construction is done through tunnels that may spill into the water sources that the residents use. The association proposed that proper drainage system be established to avoid water draining into estates and the construction should take in consideration the aspect of storm water by building enough culverts.

Kara further said other health complications may arise from dust in the site that could cause respiratory problems to residents and users of the road. Kanake also said the workers don’t have clinically approved devices to protect them from inhaling chemicals and dust while carrying out their duties on the site. “There are also concerns that contractors excavated murram and red soil for the construction and left open pits,” he said.

However Meshack Kidenda the director general KeNHA said every contractor were bound by law to refill dug pits upon completion of the projects. To reduce accidents and to promote proper use of the highway they called Kara called on the authority to educate both the pedestrians and motorists on how to use the road.

They also proposed for building of more footbridges as the existing ones are spread wide apart and pedestrians are tempted to cross the highway even where there is no footbridge. “There are no provisions for cars that break down or run out of fuel while on the highway to pull aside band fix the problem. This is bound to lead to accidents as vehicles on high speed can easily ram on to the stationery vehicle,” Kanake said.