Kajiado town residents are set to benefit from the tarmacking of 7 kilometres of major roads linking the town.
The national government project being undertaken by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) at a cost of sh. 588,450,594.60 is already at 29 per cent completion and is set to be complete by November 2022.
The main project works comprise construction of single carriageway roads to bitumen standards, walkways, drainage facilities and street lighting.
Some of the roads that will be upgraded to bitumen standards include; Enterprise-Jua Kali-Stadium Road, Shepashina estate road, Majengo, Saina and Outering estate roads.
According to Wilson Nyakundi, Assistant Engineer in charge of the project, the construction of the roads will open up the town, ease mobility and transportation as well as improve its infrastructure.
“The upgrading of the 7 kilometers of roads will be complete by November 2022. The roads will open up the town and ease mobility within the estates,” said Nyakundi.
Locals lauded the government for initiating the project saying that they had suffered for years and forced to endure bad roads especially during the rainy season.
Elijah Melita, a resident of the town, said the road construction will open up businesses thus improve the region’s economic growth.
Melita noted that the Kajiado Central Business District was the only area with tarmac at the town and the tarmacking of roads leading to estates will improve its infrastructure.
“We as residents of this town have suffered for years due to bad roads. The dust is too much and when it rains, most roads are completely impassable due to poor drainage. The enterprise road leading to the stadium is normally cut off during the rainy season,” said Melita.
He noted that the culverts will help in drainage of flood waters and the street lights being installed on the roads will help boost security.
Boda boda riders welcomed the upgrading of the roads adding that the move will boost their business as they will be able to cover a wider area and they also do not have to worry about their motorcycles breaking down.
Businessmen in the town also welcomed the tarmacking of the roads adding that their businesses had been negatively affected by the bad roads.
Jane Nashipae, a mitumba trader, said the dust from the murram road during the dry season destroys clothes in her shop thus customers keep off.
She added that the situation is worsened during the rainy season as water gets into her shop due to poor drainage.
“I am happy that we will conduct our business in a conducive environment. The tarmacking of this road outside my shop will boost my business as customers will be able to access it easily. We no longer have to worry about dust, flood water or mud,” said Nashipae.
By Rop Janet
