Accra Road renamed after multi-party hero Kenneth Matiba
Nairobi City County has announced the renaming of Accra Road to Kenneth Matiba road in his honor.
Nairobi County Deputy Governor, Ann Kananu says the road will be named after Matiba so as to honor the second liberation hero who she says was a brave and selfless figure, who significantly contributed to multi-party democracy in Kenya.
“He was a true patriot who loved this nation, a nationalist who believed in hard work and building strong bonds of friendship for the betterment of all and formed the team that began to lay the foundation of our great nation. For that we are honoring him by naming Accra Road, after him.” DG Kananu said.
Nairobi County Roads CEC, Mohamed Dagane, also echoed Kananu’s sentiments that the road in Nairobi’s CBD will be named after Matiba for his efforts in championing multi-party democracy in Kenya,
On the 18th March, 2021 the County Assembly passed a motion sponsored by Nairobi CBD MCA Daniel Ngengi to rename the road situated in Nairobi CBD’s downtown to Kenneth Matiba Road.
In the motion the Assembly urged the Nairobi County Executive in conjunction with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to expedite the renaming of the road.
In 2016, Forest Road was renamed Wangari Maathai Road, Cross Road in the CBD was renamed after veteran multi-partyism crusader Charles Rubia. The road between City Hall Annex and Cardinal Otunga Plaza to Uhuru Highway is now Cardinal Otunga Road.
“Last month, we renamed Eastleigh 1ST Avenue to Yusuf Hajji Avenue, following a similar motion by the Nairobi County Assembly Majority leader, Abdi Guyo to rename it Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue.” Ngengi said.
A number of Nairobi roads and streets have been named after prominent Kenyans.
Kapiti Crescent road in South B has been renamed after late football legend Joe Kadenge.
Muindi Mbingu Street was formerly known as Stewart Street but was renamed in honour of Ukambani freedom fighter Samuel Muindi Mbingu.
Mama Ngina Street was known as Queens Way during the colonial era but named after Kenya’s first First Lady, the mother of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Sadler Street was renamed Koinange Street, Lord Delamare Avenue renamed Kenyatta Avenue, Government Avenue to Moi Avenue and Forest Road changed to Prof Wangari Maathai Road.
Kimathi street was known as Harding Street but renamed after Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, as a way of honouring his role in the Mau Mau war.
Ronald Ngala Street was previously known as Duke Street after the British noblemen of the highest hereditary rank.
Former Ford-Asili party leader Matiba passed away on April 18, 2018, at Karen Hospital at 85.
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