Residents of Kangari, Kinyona and Munuga areas of Kigumo Sub County have accused a road contractor of employing people from other regions at the expense of area residents.
The residents told KNA Friday that the contractor working on Kinyona-Munuga-Njabini road has employed a big percentage of workers from outside the locality.
They claimed that the engineers at the site have denied them a chance on allegations that they will not dedicate their time on construction of the road which is part of the Mau Mau highway.
The locals presented their grievances to area MP Ruth Wangari who said she has consulted with the officials of Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to ensure 70 percent of workforce comes from the region.
The MP observed that Kigumo had many educated people who deserved to be given chances in the ongoing construction works.
“There is a provision that in road works, locals should be given 70 percent of jobs, but I have engaged the contractor who promised to take necessary action,” she said.
Wangari assured the residents that since the construction of the road has already started, within the next few weeks they will be considered for employment opportunities.
The MP further lauded the government for embarking on the construction, which will link Murang’a and Nyandarua counties, with a view to boosting agricultural activities in the area.
The Mau Mau road which starts at Kiambu County and links Nyeri and Murang’a with Nyandarua County is earmarked to open up rich agricultural areas bordering Aberdare forest.
Wangari observed that the local farmers will get the opportunity to grow export crops considering that transportation of the produce would be easier once the road was completed.
The 500-kilometre road is funded by the government of Kenya in partnership with the World Bank to the tune of Sh30 billion.
Wangari noted that for many years, local farmers relied on coffee and tea, but with the new infrastructure they will venture into horticultural farming.
“And with the government’s proposed dry port at Naivasha, local farmers will benefit from the facility as they will embark on horticulture farming,” she added.
Local farming will also be boosted by the envisaged establishment of a modern market at Kangari trading centre at the cost of Sh300 million from the national government.
Funding for the ultra-modern market has been slated in the current financial year’s budget and the procurement process was in progress, added Wangari.
By Bernard Munyao
