Uasin Gishu County administration in partnership with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) have inspected the ongoing tarmacking of roads within Eldoret town ahead of the 2023 Devolution Conference slated for August 15 -19 this year.
KURA’s Director for Roads Assets and Corridor Management, Engineer Abdulrashid Mohamed says the roads agency is partnering with the County to tarmac a total of 3 kilometres within the town, and so far, up to1.5 kilometres is completed.
”This is among the roads we will do nationwide. We are targeting to maintain 2950 kilometres and to construct 200 kilometres of new roads. There are other roads we have earmarked in Uasin Gishu under the 2023/24 financial year and other parts of the North Rift region which will be maintained and upgraded,” Eng Mohamed explained.
Speaking during the inspection of the roads in Race Course Ward, Kesses Sub County, Uasin Gishu County Roads, Transport and Public Works County Executive Member, Engineer Joseph Lagat, said the completion of the roads being tarmacked will decongest traffic along the busy Eldoret-Kapsabet -Kisumu road.
”Apart from this program, Governor Chelilim launched the FY2023/24 road construction grading program during his developmental tour of Kipsomba Ward recently, and we are targeting to achieve 1200 kilometres to improve rural roads,” said Eng Lagat.
Eng. Lagat noted that the county is targeting to complete grading of 600 kilometres of roads this year and added that last year the grading program achieved 800 kilometres of murram roads and 400 kilometres of gravel and compacted roads.
”We have a leather factory, a supermarket, the Eldoret Sport Club and a hospital along this road, besides, the residents of Elgon View and the entire Race Course ward will benefit from it,” he added.
Race Course Ward MCA, Amos Kiptanui, who accompanied the team together with Roads Chief Officer Eng. Abraham Kiptalam said the tarmacked road had solved the big challenge of drainage and flooding during the rainy season.
”This will not only help the business community but allow access to local amenities, help farmers access markets for their produce and spur the economy for the residents of Uasin Gishu,” Hon Kiptanui reiterated.
Additionally, the county administration has further unveiled a new bus terminus within the Eldoret CBD as a way to decongest the town in order to ensure smooth movement of people and vehicles particularly during the DevCon 2023.
Speaking on Monday during the inspection of the new bus station at FIMS area, Roads Chief Officer Eng. Abraham Kiptalam pointed out that the new terminus has a capacity to accommodate at least three matatu saccos plying the Eldoret -Langas route as from Tuesday next week.
”This is a new stage we have put up under the instruction and the leadership of Governor Jonathan Bii to decongest the main stage at Trucadero. We have done murraming and will come again to fill with quarry sand to ensure the area is conducive for business,” said Eng. Kiptalam.
He added that the move will decongest the main stage and also the main roundabout at the Korosiot area heading towards Kapsabet along the Eldoret road.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
