Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has launched a Sh20 million labour-based road maintenance programme that will see 3,000 residents employed to rehabilitate a 150-kilometre network across the county.
Dr. Ottichilo, who kicked-off the exercise on the Gamalenga-Nyang’ori road in Tumbua location in Hamisi sub county on Monday, said the two-months project would involve refilling potholes, unclogging culverts as well as clearing vegetation on the roadsides.
The governor stated that the programme aims at putting money in the pockets of the workers to enable them meet the basic needs in the prevailing difficult economic times mainly occasioned by inflation.
“Most of the rural roads are in a sorry state courtesy of the weather elements and hence the need for repair to enable easy movement of people and goods,” he said.
He added that they are liaising with the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) for identification of roads that will be upgraded to bitumen standards in the next financial year.
The county head said they intend to eventually tarmack the roads to save the cost of routine maintenance.
By Sammy Mwibanda
