Residents living along the Rongai-Kitengela Road have criticised the government over the deteriorating condition of the key road, saying its poor state continues to disrupt transport and livelihoods despite growing traffic and development in the area.
The residents spoke as President William Ruto visited the area, expressing disappointment that the state of the road was not addressed during his tour.
They said the road has become increasingly difficult to use, with motorists forced to navigate potholes and damaged sections that slow down traffic and increase vehicle maintenance costs.
“We were hoping the President would see the condition of this road and hear what residents are going through. Instead, the road remains forgotten. We use it every day, but nobody seems to be listening to us,” said one resident.
Another resident said the poor road had become a major burden for people travelling between Rongai and Kitengela.
“This is not a small road. Thousands of people depend on it every day. When it rains, some sections become difficult to pass, and when it is dry, we have to deal with dust. The government needs to act,” the resident said.
Residents said the poor condition of the road was also affecting businesses along the route, with traders reporting reduced customer traffic and increased transport costs.
“We pay more for transport because vehicles spend more time on the road and are constantly damaged by potholes. Those costs eventually come back to us as consumers,” said a trader.
A boda boda rider said the road had become particularly challenging for two-wheelers.
“For us, potholes are dangerous. You can easily lose control, especially at night or when it rains. We have had enough promises. We need the road fixed,” he said.
Residents also accused authorities of overlooking the road despite its importance to the rapidly growing population in the area.
“We see new houses and businesses coming up every day, but the road has not improved at the same pace. Development without good roads does not help ordinary people,” said another resident.
The residents said they had expected the President’s visit to provide an opportunity for the national government to respond to their concerns, particularly given the importance of the road to commuters and businesses.
“We are happy when the President comes to our area, but leadership is also about seeing the problems people face. We want him to come back and inspect this road, not just pass through on a convoy,” said a resident.
They are now calling on the national government and relevant road agencies to rehabilitate the road and provide proper drainage where necessary.
“We don’t want temporary repairs that will disappear after the next rains. We want a proper road that can serve residents for many years,” said another resident.
For residents, the condition of the Rongai-Kitengela Road has become a symbol of the gap between the rapid growth of the area and investment in basic infrastructure.
They now want the government to give them a clear timeline on when rehabilitation of the road will begin.
orridor have renewed calls for the government to address the deteriorating state of roads in the area, saying years of neglect have made movement increasingly difficult for motorists, traders and pedestrians.
The concerns came as President William Ruto visited the area, with residents expressing disappointment that the condition of key roads did not receive the attention they had hoped for during the visit.
The Rongai-Kitengela route serves thousands of residents every day, linking rapidly growing residential estates and commercial centres in Kajiado County. However, residents say the growth has not been matched by investment in road infrastructure.
They complained of potholes, dusty and muddy sections, drainage problems and congestion, particularly during peak hours and rainy seasons.
“This road carries thousands of people every day, yet its condition continues to deteriorate. We were hoping that the President’s visit would provide an opportunity for the government to see and address what residents go through,” said one resident.
Another resident said poor roads were increasing the cost of doing business while exposing pedestrians and motorists to unnecessary risks.
“We spend more money on fuel and vehicle repairs because of these roads. Matatus also increase fares whenever the road becomes impassable. The ordinary resident is the one paying the price,” the resident said.
Residents also raised concerns about drainage, saying some sections become difficult to navigate whenever it rains.
“We are not asking for luxury. We need proper roads and drainage. When it rains, some roads become muddy and flooded, while during the dry season we deal with dust. This has been our reality for too long,” said a trader.
The rapid expansion of Kitengela, Rongai and surrounding areas has placed additional pressure on existing infrastructure, with new residential developments increasing traffic on roads that residents say were never designed to handle the current population.
A motorist who uses the route regularly said the government should prioritise roads serving densely populated areas.
“Every day you see leaders talking about development, but people living here are struggling with basic infrastructure. We need the government to come down to the ground and fix these roads instead of waiting until they become completely impassable,” he said.
Residents said they were particularly concerned about the impact of the poor roads on businesses, school-going children and workers who commute to Nairobi and other parts of Kajiado.
For many residents, the issue is not simply about convenience but also the wider cost of living.
“Transport is already expensive. When roads are bad, vehicles spend more time on the road, consume more fuel and require frequent repairs. Eventually that cost is passed to passengers. Fixing the roads would make a real difference to families here,” said another resident.
They want both the national and county governments to clarify which roads fall under their respective jurisdictions and provide a clear timetable for rehabilitation.
The residents also called for better coordination between road agencies and local authorities, arguing that road construction should be accompanied by proper drainage and pedestrian facilities.
“We don’t want temporary solutions where potholes are filled today and return after a few months. We want proper, durable roads that can support the population we have now and the growth that is coming,” said a resident.
The complaints come against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation in the greater Nairobi metropolitan area, where formerly rural settlements have transformed into major residential and commercial centres.
Residents said the transformation should be accompanied by matching public investment in infrastructure.
They urged President Ruto and his administration to return to the area and engage directly with residents on the road challenges.
“We welcome leaders when they visit us, but we also want them to see the problems beyond the venues where official functions are held. Come and drive through these roads and you will understand why residents are complaining,” said a resident.
For residents, the message is simple: development should be measured not only by government announcements but by the quality of infrastructure people encounter in their daily lives.
They now want the government to turn its attention to the Rongai-Kitengela corridor and provide concrete action on the roads they depend on every day.
