Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Director General Eng. Silas Kinoti is facing growing scrutiny from motorists and civil society groups over the deteriorating state of Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road, a flagship infrastructure project that has consumed billions of shillings in public funds.
Road users accuse the authority, under Kinoti’s leadership, of failing to maintain critical infrastructure along the corridor, leaving sections of the road poorly lit and exposing motorists and pedestrians to increased safety risks.
The Director General is also facing renewed questions regarding the implementation of the project after concerns emerged that several facilities contained in the original design, including footbridges, public sanitation facilities and recreational amenities, were either altered or never delivered.
Critics argue that the deterioration of the highway reflects deeper management failures within KURA, with some demanding an independent audit into maintenance contracts awarded during Kinoti’s tenure.
The pressure comes at a sensitive moment as the Director General’s term reportedly approaches its conclusion amid reports that he is seeking another term in office.
Documents reviewed by this publication indicate that concerns regarding procurement, project implementation and maintenance expenditure have previously been raised with oversight agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), although no public findings have been released.
Despite repeated requests for comment over the past week, Kinoti had not responded to questions from this publication by the time of going to press.Motorists say the silence from KURA’s top leadership has only heightened public concern, with many now demanding accountability for the state of one of Nairobi’s most important urban highways.
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