Just 30 kilometres from Nairobi, Athi River is one of Kenya’s important industrial towns, home to major companies in cement, steel, roofing, ceramics and other sectors.
Among the companies with operations in and around the town are National Cement, Bamburi Cement, East Africa Portland Cement, Mombasa Cement, Ndovu Cement, Devki Steel, Tuffsteel, Royal Mabati Factory, Saj Ceramics and Abyssinia Group of Industries. Their presence underlines Athi River’s importance as one of Kenya’s key industrial hubs.
Yet despite its growing industrial and economic importance, the town’s infrastructure, particularly its roads, has for years failed to keep pace. Athi River has even earned a reputation for its dust.
One of the roads that has suffered badly is the main link between Mombasa Road and Namanga Road. For some time, the road has been in a deplorable state, riddled with huge potholes that have made driving a frustrating and sometimes hazardous experience.
The poor condition of the road has been a particular concern given the number of businesses, workers, trucks and other motorists who use it daily.
Although the road falls under the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the Machakos County Government, led by Governor Wavinya Ndeti, has now stepped in to undertake improvements — a move likely to bring considerable relief to motorists, residents and businesses that rely on the road every day.
The intervention comes at a time when Athi River continues to expand as a major industrial and commercial centre.
