The Jubilee administration is targeting to tarmac more than 11,000 kilometres of road by the end of its term.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said currently the government has tarmacked more than 10,500 kilometres of road and that many other roads across the country were under construction.
Speaking when he inspected construction of several roads in Mathioya Sub County, the CS said the Jubilee administration has surpassed the number of kilometres it pledged to tarmac before it attained power in 2013.
“The current administration is keen to ensure there is an elaborate and upgraded road network in the country, as the infrastructure will boost economic activities,” said the CS.
“The roads are not only being done in one part of the country but also in all parts in this nation and we are committed to ensure roads under construction are completed by mid-next year,” he stated.
In Mathioya the CS, commissioned construction of Gitugi-Kagumoini road and inspected other roads which are under construction including Kanjama-Kagumoini, Kairo-Kagicha and rehabilitation of Kiriaini-Mugeka road.
Opening up various roads in the region, Macharia noted they would boost agricultural activities considering Mathioya Sub County relies on tea and coffee.
“We are pushing all the contractors to work within the given timelines so as to ensure the projects are fully complete and start serving the mwanachi,” he added.
He added that the Mau Mau Road which connects four counties is earmarked to be completed by September next year.
The road, funded at a tune of Sh30 billion is expected to spur agriculture and ecotourism in the counties which border Aberdare ranges.
“Construction of Mau Mau Road has been given to four companies so as to hasten the works. Tarmacking the road has several challenges posed by the terrain but we are committed to ensure the road is completed at given timelines,” the CS further stated.
Legislators who accompanied the CS including Peter Kimari (Mathioya), Mary Waithera (Maragua), Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya), James Mwangi (Tetu) and Anthony Kiai (Mukurweini) underscored the development record attained the Jubilee administration.
Kiai lauded the upgrading of roads saying the government has invested a lot in improving transport infrastructure.
“The roads being constructed now will have a big economic impact in the near future. We thank the President and his administration for the development record it has attained,” he said.
On his part, Mathioya MP noted that the road networks in his constituency would go a long way in supporting farming in the region.
Mathioya, he observed, is known as a major producer of coffee, tea and for dairy farming saying transport of farm produce to markets would be easier due to good roads.
By Bernard Munyao
