The president of African Development Bank (ADB) Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji has expressed satisfaction on the progress in implementing the 84-kilomete Kenol-Marua dual carriage highway.
On Tuesday, Ayodeji who was accompanied by Transport Cabinet secretary, James Macharia to inspect the road said through the government’s effort, the project is expected to be completed two years earlier than the initially scheduled completion time.
The road, which is divided in two lots, is expected to be fully completed by December this year from the initial planned completion time which was slated for 2024.
Ayodeji underscored the project which is funded by ADB to the tune of Sh5.6billion observing that it will not only reduce traveling time but also transform the socio-economic status of many people.
“The work done on this project is tremendous, I laud the government of Kenya for picking the best contractors who are doing high quality jobs. This road will be a major boost to the economic growth of this country,” stated the president.
The government is expanding the transport link which is part of the Northern corridor into a modern 4-lane dual carriage.
The construction of the road was started late 2019 and is part of the Great North road that starts from Cape town and enters Kenya through Namanga before exiting into Ethiopia at Moyale
Currently lot one which covers from Kenol town in Murang’a to Sagana in Kirinyaga County is at 72 percent complete and the second lot which is from Sagana to Marua in Nyeri county is at 63 percent complete.
Ayodeji underscored the Kenyan government’s commitment in infrastructural developments saying they are the backbone of economic growth for every country.
His bank, he added, has been financing key development projects in the country in the road, water and energy sector.
“Since 2015, ADB has increased funding for infrastructural development in Kenya to more than 4 billion US dollars. The projects that already we have financed have had a great positive impact on the residents,” he further stated.
The president further stated key roads connecting Kenya and neighbouring countries are done by ADB thus boosting trade across countries in eastern Africa.
On his part, the CS stated that plans to have the road constructed were hatched about 40 years ago and was only made a reality by the financing from ADB.
The road, Macharia said, is a high traffic highway and constructing it into dual carriage has impacted the economy greatly.
“Today, we came here with the President of the ADB Akinwumi Ayodeji and we appreciate him and the bank for the support they have accorded our country,” he said.
The bank has financed road projects across the country, Macharia citing Mombasa-Mariakani road in Mombasa, Isebania-Kisii and Kisii-Ahero in Western and Marsabit to Moyale in northern Kenya.
By Bernard Munyao
