The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has responded to a wave of humorous speculation from Kenyans on social media over the mounting of massive pillars on Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi. Many online users jokingly asked, “Nani amejenga nyumba Kenyatta Avenue?”, Swahili for “Who has built a house on Kenyatta Avenue?”, with others jesting about applying for affordable housing in the heart of the city.
In a witty reply, KURA took to social media to clarify: “Surely, surely, hii si nyumba. Aje sasa watu wangu? Tunajenga viaduct.” (Surely, surely, this is not a house. Come on, my people, we are building a viaduct.)
KURA Assistant Director Engineer Benjamin Asin further addressed the matter from the construction site, explaining that the visible structures are temporary hoardings to protect workers, equipment, and motorists. “We are building a viaduct, which requires heavy machinery. These are not houses,” he said. “The structures will be removed once the works are completed.”
The viaduct is part of the ongoing Valley Road–Kenyatta Avenue/Ngong/Nyerere Road Interchange and Upper Hill–Haile Selassie Overpass project. It will connect Valley Road to Ngong Road near the Kenya National Library Service, enabling through traffic to bypass intersections and reducing congestion along key corridors in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Initially launched in September 2020, the project stalled for years due to non-payment of contractors. When President William Ruto took office, his administration revealed it had inherited Ksh.175 billion in pending bills owed to 580 road contractors—some unpaid since 2016. These debts had led to project abandonments, job losses, and stalled infrastructure.
To address the crisis, the government turned to a debt-avoidance mechanism known as securitisation. Through the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), it committed seven shillings out of every Ksh.25 collected per litre of fuel via the Road Maintenance Levy Fund over 10 years. This strategy raised funds to clear verified pending bills and restart critical road works.
As of July 2025, more than 393 of the 580 stalled road projects nationwide had resumed, including the Kenyatta Avenue viaduct. A revised completion date for the Nairobi interchange project has been set for December 17, 2026.
An artistic impression released by KURA shows how the viaduct will help decongest Kenyatta Avenue and Valley Road, ushering in a smoother, safer traffic experience for Nairobi motorists.
Written By Rodney Mbua
