The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has addressed public speculation and online jokes about unusual structures taking shape along Nairobi’s Kenyatta Avenue, with some Kenyans humorously describing them as “roadside apartments.”
In a light-hearted post shared online, KURA dismissed the rumours and explained that the structures are not unauthorized buildings but part of a major infrastructure upgrade.
“Mnauliza nani anajenga nyumba Kenyatta Avenue? Aje sasa watu wangu? Tunajenga viaduct,” the agency said, confirming the start of construction for a viaduct linking Valley Road to Kenyatta Avenue.
Engineer Benjamin Asin, who is overseeing the project, clarified that the visible structures are temporary hoardings—protective barriers designed to shield both motorists and pedestrians from ongoing construction activity involving heavy machinery.
“I have seen many questions. I just want to clarify that these are not houses. We are simply creating a safe working space. This is a high-traffic area, and the machinery we are using demands serious protection,” said Asin.
The viaduct aims to decongest one of Nairobi’s busiest corridors by allowing vehicles to bypass key junctions and intersections, thereby cutting down on traffic delays and improving flow through the central business district.
“This is a very active and busy area. The viaduct needs heavy machinery, and we need very reliable protection while we build,” added the engineer.
The online reaction was swift, with memes and lighthearted speculation flooding social media, further fueling public curiosity.
A viaduct, as explained by KURA, is an elevated roadway designed to stretch over obstacles such as valleys, rivers, or dense urban zones. Unlike a bridge that typically spans a single gap, a viaduct covers a longer distance and is supported by a series of pillars, maintaining a smooth, gentle gradient ideal for continuous traffic flow.
Once completed, the Kenyatta Avenue viaduct will allow vehicles from Valley Road to move seamlessly over current bottlenecks and junctions, significantly easing congestion in the city centre.
The project, which had initially stalled due to funding constraints after being slated for completion in 2023, is now back on track. KURA has set a new completion target of October 2025.
The upgraded infrastructure will feature a dual carriageway stretching approximately seven kilometres, complete with two overpasses, cycle lanes, and pedestrian walkways to support inclusive and sustainable urban mobility.
An artistic impression of the final structure has been released, offering a glimpse of Nairobi’s evolving road network.
