The government is planning to expand Murang’a-Kenol road so as to ease heavy traffic which currently is being witnessed along the road.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has said the 31-kilometre road will be expanded to increase the number of lanes to help motorists to move faster and avoid snarl up.
After expansion, Macharia noted that due to many motorists from Kirinyaga, Nyeri and other neighbouring counties opting to use the road, there has been heavy traffic along the road.
He observed that dueling of 48-kilometre Kenol-Sagana road will also help to ease heavy traffic as many motorists will enjoy the new dual carriage highway which will be done up to Marua in Nyeri.
Macharia spoke when he met Murang’a MCAs on Wednesday to discuss the development agenda of the county.
“Murang’a-Kenol road in recent past has witnessed heavy traffic and we have directed Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to do designs of expanding the road so as to help motorists move faster,” said Macharia.
Some years back, a section of Murang’a leaders were advocating the dual carriage from Kenol to Sagana to be diverted to go via Murang’a town, a decision which the donor funding the road rejected.
The CS further said the county will also benefit with an airstrip at Kambirwa area saying Murang’a is among several counties which lack an airstrip.
“With partnership with the county government, the ministry will embark to acquire more land so as to expand the airstrip space at Kambirwa area. The project will kick off in next financial year.
He lauded the many roads being constructed in Murang’a County observing the dual carriage way between Kenol in Murang’a and Marua in Nyeri County is expected to be completed this year.
“Construction of the dual carriage from Kenol to Marua has been divided into two parts. The tender was awarded to two contractors whom we have agreed to do like 4 kilometers per week,” averred the CS.
On his part, Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria said his administration is working with the national government to expand the municipality.
The borders of the municipality, Wa Iria said, need to be expanded so as to accommodate the increasing population of Murang’a town.
“The county government is also working out to make Kenol and Kangari towns municipalities. The two urban centres are growing fast thus the need to be upgraded to municipality status,” he added.
Macharia and Wa Iria engaged the local MCAs in a meeting also to discuss the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) which they said will ensure devolved units get more funds.
By Bernard Munyao
