Residents of Naroosura area in Narok South Sub County have a reason to smile after the upgrading of a 22-Kilometre road that connects to Elangata Enterit was completed.
Led by a prominent farmer, Ms. Jeniffer Sawui, the residents said the upgrading of the road is a big relief as they can easily transport their farm produce to the market.
“This area is famous for the production of tomatoes and bulb onions. However, the farmers were incurring huge losses because of the impassable road especially during the rainy season. But now things are different as transportation will be very easy,” said Ms. Sawui.
She said before, they were forced to use motorbikes for transport to the trading center in Naroosura where they paid Sh.200 for one way but now that the road is complete, she will only have to spend Sh.50 to the trading centre.
Ms. Sawui recalled how pregnant women were forced to give birth at home because of lack of transport to the health centers saying things would be different now that the road has been upgraded.
“Despite having a free maternity programme in the country, many women chose to give birth at home because of the rough impassable road, now we expect the rate of hospital deliveries to increase,” said Ms. Sawui.
The Narok South Member of Parliament, Korei Lemain lauded Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) for the construction of the road, saying it will make the people of Elangata Enterit wealthy.
“I consider this a big fortune for the tomato and onion farmers in this area because they will easily access the market for their produce,” reiterated Lemain.
The MP challenged the residents to practice large-scale farming in horticultural produce that do well in the area to raise their standards of living.
“I urge the residents not to give out their land for lease or sell their land to people from other counties. I want them to benefit directly from this road,” added Lemain.
The South Rift Resident Engineer, Stephen Musindayi confirmed that the road had been upgraded at a cost of Sh.4.5 million.
Eng. Musindayi added the road is a major boost to pupils studying at Elangata Enterit Primary School whose national examinations were always delayed because of the impassable road.
“I received calls severally to help during the national examinations as vehicles used to stick on the muddy road, but now this problem has been resolved completely,” he said.
By Ann Salaton
