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Kenya: Alarm as City Roundabouts Turned to Spots for Leisure

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4 years ago

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Nairobi MCAs have raised the alarm at an influx of residents who have turned roundabouts on major highways and roads in the city as recreational spaces.

The ward representatives pointed out that the roundabouts are now a hive of activities with families using them for leisure, thus endangering their lives.

Informal settlements

The MCAs urged City Hall and the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to establish open spaces in residential areas for residents’ use to avert the looming disaster.

Sounding the alarm, Baba Dogo MCA Geoffrey Majiwa said families from neighbouring areas, usually informal settlements, have turned the roundabouts to relaxation points during weekends.

He attributed the dire situation to limited public open spaces in residential areas, forcing families to convert the dangerous spots to areas to spend their weekends.

“If you drive along Thika Road, you will find out that the many roundabouts that act as exits to the main highway are a hive of activities, with people relaxing with their families,” Mr Majiwa said.

“This is a disaster-in-waiting. When a drunkard will drive on such roundabouts one Sunday afternoon, we will be telling a different story,” he added.

To avert any disaster, the former Nairobi Mayor called on Ann Kananu’s and Lieutenant-General Mohamed Badi’s administrations to convert open spaces in residential areas for recreational use by residents residing in the said area. “Though we may not have enough spaces in residential areas, there are spaces like the one I saw when driving along Outer Ring Road on the side of Buruburu facing Umoja, which is very beautiful. If it’s upgraded to a park, it can be used by people who live in that area so that people don’t sit in the roundabouts,” he said.