Six kilometre road that forces pregnant Juja women to deliver premature babies

For over a decade, residents of Kimbo and Matangini villages in Juja, Kiambu County, have faced significant challenges moving around due to the deplorable state of a key road connecting them to the Thika Superhighway.

The six-kilometre stretch, riddled with potholes, is a nightmare when it rains, and during the dry weather, the dust becomes unbearable. A route meant to provide more than 25,000 residents with access to opportunities has instead become a safety and health hazard, leaving villagers frustrated by their daily transport struggles.

Once a vital route, the Kimbo-Matangini Road was initially tarmacked in 2017. However, the tarmac has since peeled off, leaving large, gaping potholes that are a danger to motorists and motorcyclists alike.

Motorists report that driving on the road has become increasingly difficult and hazardous, especially when it rains, as the potholes become submerged under water, rendering them invisible.

Duncan Mwangi, a driver with Lopha Travels Sacco, says that while the road was meant to alleviate decades of transport challenges and spur economic growth in the area, the contractor did a shoddy job.

“Even before they finished the project, the road had started wearing out,” Mwangi says.

Locals blame the current state of the road on several factors, including poor drainage, rushed compaction, and low-quality tarmacking.

Mwangi, who also works as a taxi driver, shared a heart-wrenching story about how pregnant women have been forced to deliver prematurely along the road due to its poor condition.

“Accidents and waterborne diseases have increased in the area due to the numerous potholes and stagnant water, which create an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungi,” Mwangi added.

Despite raising their concerns with the relevant authorities, locals feel their voices have gone unheard. A significant source of frustration is the ongoing blame game between local and national government officials over who is responsible for repairing the road.

Five months ago, matatus plying the route went on strike to protest the state of the road.

“The impenetrable stretch has not only become uncomfortable and unsafe, with road users risking head-on collisions as they swerve to avoid the potholes, but it also increases travel time,” lamented Loise Njeri, a resident.