KENYA-
TRANSPORT SECTOR SUPPORT
PROJECT(P124109) AND ITS ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P146630).
Small
and medium level businesses were the driving force behind Dinah economy and yet, their interests and support was not
taken into account during the design stage and actual construction. There was
total lack of effective and inclusive engagement. There was clear evidence from
the disclosure meeting for the RAP Implementation Audit report by Panafcom Ltd.
at Minata hotel , on 25/2/2020, that concerns of this group had never been captured and addressed by both Panafcom and KeNHA staffs,
and yet the project is coming to close.
HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND.
Before,
the construction of the interchange there was easy and convenient access of
both vehicles and pedestrians to businesses and homes. The access feeder roads
provided entry and exit routes in either direction from Webuye town, Eldoret
, Kitale or Bungoma. on both sides, of
the road.
There
were feeder roads, serving not only businesses but, thousands of residents.
Example, Dinah- Malaha road serving almost 2,000 people, Camp David road, road
to Radio Mambo, and road to Molo estate. This
is further explained by the accompanying drawings.
DESIGN.
The
design and actual implementation, basing on the SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM SHOWING PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE MOVEMENTS AT WEBUYE
INTERCHANGE, disregarded the existing feeder roads, leading to
disruption and loss of businesses and inconveniencing residents to their homes. There is total
failure of the project component of improved roads and road safety, as most residents
within the interchange risk daily accessing their homes and businesses from both side. Customers/
clients, business owners, suppliers and
residents with vehicles are unable to access their premises and homes easily
and safely.
PROBLEM.
The
elevated wall of the interchange has created a barrier on both sides ,
resulting into pedestrians taking a
longer distance and time before reaching
the pedestrian crossings, while vehicular movements for easy access to
businesses and homes have been curtailed
on both
sides of the road .
The
following businesses have been adversely affected , Minata hotel, Website hotel
, Camp David hotel, united millers,, Webuye corner petrol station and Jakas
petrol station, and have incurred income
losses and business disruption during the actual construction. Closure of
access to the premises affected businesses as clients moved out.
With
the completion of the interchange,
businesses has not picked up, and transport sector businesses such as
Easy coach bus, North Rift and Great
Rift shuttles are also experiencing difficulties to access their premises in
either direction of the road on both sides. For example, how will someone
access Easy Coach bus, Dinah- Malaha road, Minata hotel, Great Rift shuttle and
several retail shops, while coming from Eldoret, Kitale, Webuye or Kakamega,
easily and safely?
TRAFFIC RULES CONTRAVENTION
On
several occasions clients / customers , suppliers, residents, business owners,
with vehicles get lost , and as a result drive on the wrong side of the road ,
contravening traffic rules so as to access and
reach business premises or their homes.
This
is a safety issue and the probability of accidents happening is very high.
IMPACT.
The
interchange has blocked businesses and affected easy movements to the populations of Dinah community. The project has decreased business
opportunities, and thus, disempowered the community leading to increased insecurity in the area.
Overall
the project has not spurred economic growth of these community. People have
lost jobs, some businesses closed, businessmen/ women have been unable to
service their loans as required, reducing the livelihood of the people.
The
project objective of increased efficiency can not be achieved as employment
opportunities for hotel workers and suppliers has been affected.
PROPOSED
SOLUTION
1.Provide two-way direction
slip roads on both sides of the interchange as opposed to the current one-way direction slip roads for vehicles and at the
round about with clear marked directions and indications for easy and
convenient access.
2. In addition to the two-way
direction slip roads on both sides, provide a U-Turn, or a round about at both
ends of the interchange.
