The re-carpeting of Thika town roads at a cost of Sh700 Million is set to commence next month, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has confirmed.
Mr. Benjamin Asin, an Assistant Director KURA who led a delegation of engineers and the contractor on a tour of the various roads set for tarmacking on Friday said the machinery to be used will be on site soon and called on motorists to cooperate as they conduct the exercise. A total of 13 kilometers of road will be re-carpeted.
The targeted roads, that are expected to give the busy town the much-needed facelift and ease traffic include Haille Selassie, Harry Thuku, Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, Commercial Cross, Temple road, Thika Girls, and Workshop road among others.
The roads have been dilapidated for years, leading to a number of protests by residents who accused the county’s leadership of overlooking the town’s development despite contributing the highest revenue in to the County coffers.
The tarmacking of Gatuanyaga- Muguga- Ngurai-Munyu –Githima and back to Thika Superhighway at a cost of Sh1billion is ongoing. The 24 kilometers road will be the first tarmac in Thika East Sub-County other than the Thika-Garissa highway, and will be completed in 30 months. The two projects are being funded by the state and have been contracted to Interways Works Ltd.
Meanwhile Thika MP Patrick Wainaina said they hope the projects will be completed in targeted time adding that good roads will spur economic growth of the area as well as ease traffic in the town. He cautioned land buyers to avoid buying land along the Gatuanyaga-Kangoki area saying they may be tricked into buying land that is on the road corridor.
“Don’t buy land in that area, otherwise you might buy land on a road corridor. Wait for the next two months, we will be done with marking road reserves, otherwise you will eventually be forced to pull your structures down,” said Wainaina informing that the construction works will also include putting up of walkways, street lights, and proper drainage.
Motorists lauded the project terming it a relief, as the new roads would save their vehicles from unnecessary wear and tear. “Once complete, transport and traffic flow will be smooth. We hope the roads will be completed in due time to save us from daily frustrations that we go through,” said Samuel Macharia, a resident.
By Muoki Charles
