Sonko Sues Kidero Over Roundabouts

Sonko moved to High Court to challenge the decision by the County Government of Nairobi – under the leadership of Dr. Kidero – to remove major roundabouts in the city.

The flamboyant Senator argued that the redesigning of the roundabouts has inconvenienced many commuters across the city causing traffic snarl-ups of upto three hours.

Sonko sued Kidero alongside the Cabinet secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, the Principal secretary State Department of Transport, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), the Kenya Roads Boards, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Attorney General.

In his case, Sonko – through advocate John Harrison Kinyanjui – argued that the County Government of Nairobi “purported to unlawfully reconfigure Nairobi County urban roads with large roundabouts affecting Uhuru Highway, Bunyala Road, Langata Road, and Westlands with the approval of the Ministry of Transport”.

Demolishing the roundabouts

He further argues that the county government unlawfully cancelled ‘right-turns’ on the city’s major arteries “without any lawful notification of road users and the provision of alternative routes serving as lawfully established diversions with a public notice in the print or electronic media with sufficient notice”.

Sonko had earlier threatened to lead city residents to demolish the roundabouts but later decided to seek a court’s redress.

This comes even as Dr. Kidero announced the re-opening of the Bunyala and Lusaka roundabouts for three days starting Wednesday to allow for the completion of construction works on the southern bypass.

The case was certified as urgent and will be heard on Thursday.