Nairobi Expressway Company Denies Closing Highway Due to Rigathi Gachagua's Return from US: "False"
- Nairobi Expressway is fully operational this Thursday without any scheduled closure as confirmed by Moja Expressway Company
- The company managing the elevated toll road was responding to reports that the highway had been closed due to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's procession
- Gachagua is returning to Kenya after weeks of his tour in the United States, where he camped to advance his political agenda
Nairobi: Moja Expressway has shot down the claims that the Nairobi Expressway has been closed for purposes of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's return from the United States.
Source: Getty Images
Reports had indicated that the elevated highway would be temporarily closed for purposes of motorists' safety as Gachagua's anticipated procession makes its way to the city centre from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Has Nairobi Expressway been closed?
Moja Expressway, which manages the toll road, said the highway was operational fully with no cause of alarm.
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"Please note that the poster making rounds on social media suggesting the closure of the Nairobi Expressway CBD access is fake," it said.
The company, a subsidiary of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), explained that is is apolitical and had not sanctioned the closure of the expressway for political causes.
It cautioned the public against falling for the fake reports making rounds regarding the road's management, adding that all the necessary updates would be found on its official channels.
"MOJA Expressway Company is not affiliated to neither, does it authorise the closure of the Nairobi Expressway due to political processions. The Nairobi Expressway remains a public road and all planned road closure notices are shared only on the official MOJA Expressway Company social media platforms with appropriate safety measures put in place to safeguard our motorists. We urge the general public to refrain from circulating false information and reach out to our service hotline 0111039777 for inquiries. Thank you for choosing the Nairobi Expressway," it said.
Meanwhile, Gachagua is expected to land at the JKIA on Thursday afternoon.
Inside Gachagua's itinerary
Cleophas Malala, the deputy leader of DCP, announced that Gachagua is expected to be welcomed by his supporters before heading to Kamukunji grounds to address them.
Malala also raised concerns that Gachagua’s flight might be redirected to land outside Nairobi, naming Mombasa and Kisumu as possible alternatives.
In light of this, he urged their followers to turn out in support regardless of the arrival location.
Source: Twitter
The preferred scenario remains Gachagua landing in Nairobi and engaging with supporters en route to Kamukunji.
Malala confirmed that the party had submitted its travel plans to law enforcement to ensure a coordinated movement from JKIA.
However, there is a possibility that Gachagua could face arrest upon arrival.
Why Gachagua might be arrested
Some weeks ago, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the former deputy president should be apprehended and compelled to provide formal statements due to remarks he made while in the United States.
During one of his engagements abroad, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto had previously interacted with members of the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabaab and was involved in unlawful activities with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Murkomen emphasised that such assertions were a threat to Kenya's national security and warranted accountability.
In response, Malala cautioned that any move to detain Gachagua could trigger widespread unrest, as his supporters would strongly resist the arrest.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
