Tarmacking of 18th Street in Eastleigh South begins, completion expected next week
Eighteenth Street is a vital route in the area and is surrounded by several important community amenities.
Construction work to tarmac 18th Street in Eastleigh South Ward officially began today, with the project expected to be completed within one week. The road, which serves as a key link for residents of the Kiambiu informal settlement, has been under construction since the beginning of this month.
Eighteenth Street is a vital route in the area and is surrounded by several important community amenities. These include schools, hospitals, eateries, vegetable stalls, and a football field. The road is also lined with residential apartment blocks that are home to thousands of residents from various ethnic backgrounds and walks of life.
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The road has been in poor condition for years, posing challenges for both residents and local businesses. With the tarmacking underway, many community members have expressed optimism that the project will significantly improve daily life in the area.
A view of the construction work on the tarmacking of 18th Street in Eastleigh South Ward. (Photo: X/Abdirahman Khalif)
Mary Waithera, who sells fresh vegetables just a few meters from the construction site, shared her view on the development.
“We have been patient all these weeks despite all the dust, knowing our road will finally be tarmacked and boost our business,” she said.
Other residents have echoed her sentiments, noting that the new road surface is already making a visible difference.
“This was a dusty place and rough. Now you can see how beautiful it looks. Once completed, this place will look much better,” Francis Ngumo, a local resident, said.
Motorcycle taxi (bodaboda) and vehicle taxi drivers, who frequently use the road, have also welcomed the improvements. They say the road had previously been difficult to use due to its rough and muddy conditions, especially during the rainy seasons.
A view of the construction work on the tarmacking of 18th Street in Eastleigh South Ward. (Photo: X/Abdirahman Khalif)
“It will now be a smooth ride, no more bumpy ride. I used to like this road because it is a shortcut, but it was risky; that is no more,” said Vincent Ariaka, a bodaboda rider operating in the area.
Timothy Mwangi, a taxi driver, shared a similar experience. He explained that using the road during the rainy season was a challenge because of the mud, but with the new development, he expects easier and safer access.
The road construction is being overseen by Vincent Tiatie, a surveyor involved in the project. He stated that the road measures 420 meters in length and will be built using tarmac with a thickness of 60 millimetres. According to Tiatie, this thickness is expected to make the road more durable and able to serve the community for many years to come.
The completion of this road is part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure in Kamukunji Constituency. Once completed, the newly tarmacked 18th Street is expected to have a lasting impact on the lives of residents, business owners, and commuters in Eastleigh South Ward.
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