By Peter Ochieng
Mombasa road will be partially closed, starting Friday evening.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) in a statement announced that it will close a section of Mombasa Road at Imaara Mall, from Friday 8pm to Monday 6am.
“All motorists are advised to use the two through lanes and approach the affected sections with caution and follow the traffic signs and guidance as directed by the traffic Police and Marshalls,” stated KeNHA Director General Eng. Kung’u Ndung’u.
“The Authority remains committed to ensure seamless connectivity to facilitate safe passage for economic prosperity.”
The weekend closure will affect Nairobi-bound lanes. In addition, Ndung’u said, on Friday next week – June 07, they will close the road at the same spot, from 8pm.
The partial close next weekend, will affect Mombasa-bound lanes, until Monday, June 10, at 6am, in order to allow for the installation of culverts and reinstatement works at the respective sections.
Elsewhere, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Friday inspected sections of the Uplands-Kijabe-Longonot Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) line, that were washed away by the recent floods.
“The disruption has affected the seamless transportation of goods from the Port of Mombasa to inland destinations and neighbouring countries and passenger train services on the Nairobi-Kisumu line. We are working with engineers from Kenya Railways and rail contractors to rehabilitate the railway line to ensure the speedy resumption of transport services along the route,” noted the CS.
During the inspection, he spoke with residents of Kijabe who lost their loved ones and saw their property destroyed by the floods.
He assured them of government’s support and commitment to put in place mitigating measures to avert such occurrences in the future.