Experts question viability of mega projects
Financial industry players have questioned the viability of the huge infrastructural projects currently being undertaken by the government saying they are not making economic sense.
The group said the construction of the Westlands JKIA expressway was a waste of tax payer’s money adding that technical experts ought to have been consulted before embarking on the project.
This emerged during a workshop held by the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (Icifa) on smart cities in Naivasha.
Icifa immediate former chairman George Kihumba said the expressway was not viable since it would only benefit the upper class at the cost of ordinary Kenyans.
“Who is the targeted user of the expressway? Ordinary Kenyans or the rich, because toll roads are generally very expensive,” said Kihumba.
Traffic snarl ups
The road, he said, should have been integrated with the transport system covering all areas of the city and not only from Westlands to JKIA.
“This is because people from Ruiru, Thika, Limuru and Ongata Rongai also need to travel to the airport,” he said.
“This road would not help in reducing traffic as it will not integrate the entire transport system but help only those who can afford everyday tolling,” he said.
Kihumba said the recently launched second phase of the Standard Gauge Railway would not help much in easing the pain undergone by Kenyans accessing Nairobi.
His sentiments were echoed by Icifa chairman Jonah Aiyabei who said Kenya faced challenges in converting municipalities into cities.
Aiyabei said waste management and poor planning were some of the challenges crippling the formation of cities.
