The state has set aside some Sh17 billion for the resumption of 12 stalled road projects in Nyeri County.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki says that the government has enough resources to facilitate the completion of 464 kilometres of the stalled roads over the next three years. The DP has attributed the availability of the funds to the stability of the economy, adding that the government now has enough money to facilitate the construction of the roads to completion.
“President William Ruto has been addressing inflation, the cost of living, the cost of fuel, and stabilising the Kenya shilling. Right now, because the economy is stable, we have enough funds to construct roads. The good news is the government has enough money to complete the roads,” said Prof. Kindiki.
The DP spoke in Watuka in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Friday while on an inspection tour of the Endarasha-Charity-Watuka Road. The road is part of the 66-kilometre Mweiga-Amboni-Karandi/Endarasha-Charity-Watuka-Embaringo-Kimunyuru road project, which has stalled for four years.
The road was commissioned in 2019 and was to be completed in 42 months. It, however, hit a snag after the contractor encountered challenges, forcing him to suspend construction. At the time, only 13.4 kilometres of the road had been upgraded to bitumen standard.
According to Eng. Charles Gitonga, the resident engineer for the project, construction resumed in October 2024 and is expected to be completed by August 2026 at a cost of Sh 2 billion.
“We have given ourselves 20 months to complete the entire project, and at the rate at which the contractor is working, it will be achievable,” said Eng. Gitonga.
The project, which is under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), has created employment for 154 Kenyans, of whom 2 are engineers, 21 are technicians, and 119 are casuals. Eng. Gitonga noted that the contract comes with a maintenance component, which will see the Chinese contractor continue to keep the road in good condition for three years after completing the main construction.
Simon Mwaniki, a boda boda rider from Watuka, lauded the government for reviving the road construction. He noted that in its current state, the rocky road had made vehicle maintenance an expensive venture for motorists.
“This is a huge relief for motorists and boda boda riders because for years we have had to bear the expensive cost of servicing our vehicles every now and then due to the poor state of this road. I am happy that the DP has said the road will be completed because it means it will reduce costs for us in the transport sector,” said Mwaniki.
Duncan Ndegwa, a farmer from the area, said that completion of the road will have many benefits for the farmers who sometimes watch as their produce rots in the farms due to their inability to transport them to the market. He also expressed optimism that the road will open up opportunities to more buyers who were previously locked out due to the impassable state of the road.
“I have lost count of the number of times I have watched my farm produce rot because lorries are unable to access my farm due to the pathetic state of this road. This part of Kieni is famous for milk, potatoes, carrots, and onions, and our prayer is that the government will honour the promise to complete the road so that traders can easily access our produce,” he said.
Milka Mukami, a resident of the area, said that she is looking forward to enjoying a smooth journey. She said that for years, residents have had to endure a long, expensive, and bumpy journey due to the bad state of the road.
“Once the road is completed, I am hoping that the journey from Mweiga to Watuka will now be shorter and less perilous, particularly for the old people and the pregnant women. I am also hoping that the fare will be reduced by half now that the drivers will not spend most of the journey avoiding the gaping potholes on the road,” she stated.
By Wangari Mwangi and Bacha Muigai
