The decrepit tunnel used by University of Nairobi students has been renovated quickly by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
This action was taken in response to Citizen Digital's exposé of UoN students' challenges in getting to classrooms and dorms while traversing the congested Uhuru Highway.
Speaking with the media, UoN students described how, after the Expressway was built, the vital tunnel flooded and was neglected, forcing them to risk their lives to cross the freeway.
Due to this, the drainage system in the area was harmed, and the tunnel flooded during even a little downpour.
The pupils must avoid cars on Uhuru Highway or wait for minutes to cross the tunnel, which has been inundated and neglected. This is especially problematic for groups of children because traversing the tunnel alone can be perilous.
After conducting a spot check, Citizen Digital discovered that KENHA had promptly taken action to empty the flooded tunnel and was now building a new tunnel for the children to utilize.
Over the weekend, KENHA workers worked to empty the tunnel's water while others constructed a backup tunnel in the UoN field. The tunnel will eventually be located somewhere along the heavily traveled route.
One of the UoN students who had described how difficult it is for him to cross the highway to get to class, Cleophas Owuor, expressed hope that the renovated tunnel will significantly reduce the number of accidents that affect students.
"At last, we can observe some labor being done. In order to prevent students from endangering their lives by crossing the busy highway, we hope they will find a long-term solution," Owuor stated.
According to the students, the tunnel has been ignored for over a year, ending their lives.