The government has released Sh.73 million to repair a section of Kangema-Kiriaini-Nyeri road that was destroyed by heavy rains a year ago.
Works in a section of the road at Kanjama area in Mathioya Sub County has commenced and the repairs are expected to take a period of six months.
The section of the road was cut off and part of it sunk during the April-May rains of 2018 forcing motorists to use
alternative routes.
An Inspector with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Ms. Reginah Kilonzo said the part of the road will involve intensive works as the area is prone to landslides.
Speaking on Friday when Murang’a County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) visited the area, Kilonzo said the contractor was on the ground to repair part of the road which is along the Nyeri-Murang’a Road.
She said they will push for hastening the repair works on the about 150 metres of the road to be completed before December fearing rains may cause much destruction.
Currently, motorists use a diversion which was constructed after the road sunk putting the area residents at risk.
The inspector further sought help from the county government to stop encroachment on parts of the road saying a section of the road along Kangema town, had been encroached onto, by traders.
Some traders, it was noted, have taken parts of the road which is needed to expand the road in the ongoing rehabilitation works.
“KeNHA has also set aside sh.500 million to rehabilitate the 43-kilometre road from Nyeri town to the junction of Nyoka road at Kangema.
The rehabilitation will include expansion of the road together with adding another layer of tarmack to make the road meet the standards of a highway,” she added.
The highway is alternative highway from Nyeri County to Nairobi and engineers are seeking for more funds to rehabilitate it as it passes along landslide prone areas.
The County Commissioner (CC), Mohammed Barre said he will consult the county government in efforts to stop encroachment on the sections of the road by traders.
Meanwhile, the government has given Sh.33.6 million to complete police housing project which has stalled since 2010.
The 16 house units at Kangema Police station is expected to reduce house shortage to officers working at the station.
Finishing of the two bedrooms’ units is going on and the contractor working on them is expected to complete the works before end of the current financial year.
The Murang’a County Police Commander (CPC), Josphat Kinyua has said the funds will also finance fencing of the police station and doing of a car parking pay.
“We are pressurising the contractor to finish the works before end of the current financial year. The houses will help in accommodating our officers within the station compound,” added Kinyua.
By Bernard Munyao
