Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1571004,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1571004/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 176,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nyandarua County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Faith Gitau",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "congestion. This upgrade would reduce travel time from 10 hours to four hours, facilitating faster transit and improved connectivity between our capital and our major port city. The Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Narok-Bomet Road, despite being a crucial gateway to many counties, is dangerously narrow. Expanding this road to a dual carriageway would reduce traffic snaps that result in millions of shillings in losses. This and many other national trunk roads that serve as a conduit between cities should be expanded to dual carriageway. There is also need to accord extra attention to appropriate road engineering designs to enhance the safety of all road users. KeNHA should design roads to move traffic at appropriate speeds, apply techniques to control speeds, improve visibility at intersections and physically separate highways in urban areas from pedestrian walkways. Many of our roads are narrow and do not account for the exponential growth in vehicular traffic. Statistics show that a high percentage of accidents are head-on collisions, especially at known black spot areas. The successful design of the road in Salgaa area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Road to a dual carriageway proves that a redesign on major national trunk roads can significantly reduce traffic accidents. The KeNHA should also provide engineering facilities like foot bridges, central barriers, road underpasses and sidewalks to safeguard pedestrians and non-motorised traffic. They should address the insufficient or absent road signs and markings at dangerous sites, which contribute to many accidents. Hon. Temporary Speaker, a prime example is the Waiyaki Way dual carriageway from James Gichuru to Rironi. The road lacks essential safety measures. It has no lighting and marked strips. It lacks service lanes and pedestrian crossings. It is crucial to note that this area serves a large population from surrounding towns such as Kangemi, Uthiru, Kinoo, Kikuyu, Zambezi and other nearby settlements. As we upgrade our national trunk roads to dual carriageways, we must also ensure that the necessary infrastructure—that includes foot bridges, safe crossing zones at regular intervals and other requisite infrastructure—are there for their optimal operation. Additionally, we must replace non-standard and non-retroreflective road signage with high intensity signs for better visibility, especially at night. The impact of dual carriageways for sustainable socio-economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasised. The dualling of Classes A, B and C roads should be prioritised as this will go a long way in reducing transit time and minimising accidents caused by dangerous overtaking. Moreover, enhancing our road infrastructure will significantly bolster our economy by easing the movement of goods and people, decongesting major cities and reducing transportation costs. Improved road networks will attract investment, stimulate trade and create job opportunities, thereby fostering economic development across all regions of our country. In conclusion and in light of these considerations, I urge this House to support this Motion for the betterment of our nation's infrastructure, economy and most importantly, the protection of Kenyan lives. This expansion will be a critical step towards a safer and more prosperous country. By investing in this road expansion programme, we are investing in the future of our country where citizens can live and travel safely. Our businesses can thrive and our economy will grow further. Hon. Temporary Speaker, I beg to move and request Hon. Pauline Lenguris, Member for Samburu County, to second."
}