The construction of the 12-kilometer Mjanaheri-Ngomeni link road in Magarini Sub-County has reached 50 per cent completion
The development comes barely three months after President William Ruto commissioned the project, raising hopes of improved transport and economic activity in the area.
The Sh600 million road project is being implemented by the Coast Development Authority (CDA) under the Sh889 million Malindi Integrated Social Health Development Programme Phase II (MISHDP-II).
The Italian Government funded the first phase of the programme, which was successfully implemented between 2006 and 2012. The second phase, which commenced in May 2022, will run up to 2027. The Italian Government is also funding it through the National Treasury with €6.4 million (approximately Sh889 million at the time of signing).
The Mjanaheri-Ngomeni road in Kilifi County is expected to open up the area to investment, stimulate business growth and ease transportation. The road is poised to serve more than 600,000 residents of Magarini and Malindi.
The road will also facilitate access to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre, jointly managed by the Italian Space Agency and the Kenya Space Agency, while spurring the development of tourist establishments and fish markets.
CDA Managing Director Dr Mwanasiti Bendera said the road project had gobbled up 70 per cent of the total project funds.
“The contractor has been on board since January this year, and so far we are at 50 per cent completion. The contractor has done up to three kilometres of tarmac. They are opening up another two kilometres, which they will have completed in the next 4-5 days,” explained the MD.
She added, “We will be at six km of tarmac by the end of next week, and we will have opened up to 10km of the 12km. We are optimistic that this project is on course, and we are anticipating it to be ready by December this year, 2026.”
The MD commended stakeholders for collaborating with the Authority and their unwavering commitment and support in ensuring the timely completion of the project.
Collins Omondi, a representative of the contractor, said they had laid bituminous asphalt concrete on the first 2.4km, with plans to lay another 2.5km in the coming week. He expressed confidence that the project would be completed as planned.
He disclosed that they had encountered challenges caused by the weather and the ensuing crisis in the Middle East, which had affected the supply and cost of fuel as well as the supply and cost of bituminous products.
“But it is a challenge that we are hoping to overcome; we are currently deploying more resources to try and accelerate the works and recover the lost time, so we can deliver the project as promised,” assured Omondi.
Engineer Sila Bor, the site Engineer, said they had managed to maneuver some of the challenges from the onset, and work was now progressing well on the five-layer road.
“We want to thank the government through the CDA and the Italian Corporation for having funded this project fully. The main activity here is sand harvesting. When we came, it was very pathetic. Right now, things are running smoothly,” stated Eng. Bor.
The Project Management Committee Chairman, Kassim Abdalla, said the construction of the road was a huge relief as the route was impassable, especially during the rainy season, lauding the CDA and the Italian Agency for funding the road that will open up the area.
“We believe once this road project is completed, the economic prospects of residents of Ngomeni, Mjanaheri, Garithe, Mwaeba and its vicinities will improve. The major sources of livelihood are sand harvesting, fishing and farming, which had challenges because of the deplorable road,” stated Abdalla.
He added that pregnant mothers would no longer give birth on the way during referrals to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital, as the road would enable seamless referrals of patients.
Elizabeth Matho, a resident of Mjanaheri, said they had been advocating for roads for many years, but it was only now that the Kenya Kwanza administration had heeded their call.
“We believe by the end of the year, the road will be completed; it will improve security and ease transport,” said Matho.
She added, “There will be a reduction in exorbitant fares. Before, we used to pay Sh200 up to Ngomeni with a bodaboda over a distance of just 12km; if you have a parcel, it is Sh300. Now we are paying Sh150; once it is completed, we will pay Sh100. Businesses are now booming,”
By Sadik Hassan
