The Kanduyi-Makutano road in Bungoma County is among the infrastructural projects earmarked for upgrading under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP).
This was agreed during a public participation exercise held at the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) Hall in Bungoma town by the department of Lands and Urban Planning led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Bramwel Murgor.
Murgor said that was one of the first of many public participation meetings held following the awarding of sh.300 million grant by the World Bank to the County Government for urban development plan.
Murgor said Kenya Urban Support Programme was an affirmative action plan that was initiated by the World Bank to spur development in the rural areas to address the alarming poverty index at the grassroots.
The County governments were awarded 90 percent of the World Bank’s 300 million USD grant which was shared among qualifying counties based on their urban population.
He noted that Bungoma County with two municipalities, Bungoma and Kimilili split the share into Sh.100 million and Sh.200 million to the two municipalities respectively.
The CEC said Bungoma town had prioritized the Kanduyi- Makutano road, Shariffs centre-Prisons road and the Khetias wholesaler-Mama Fanta road.
The projects are a beginning of the upcoming infrastructural development in the municipalities.
Among those present were the Members of the County Assembly (MCA’S) in the Lands and Roads Committee of the Bungoma County Assembly from Khalaba ward, Majimbo Okumu , Township ward, George Maguda, Musikoma ward, George Makari, Youth interests representative, Luke Opwora, business community members and local residents from Bungoma County.
Opwora asked all those who will win tenders in the project to give the youth first priority in the various employment opportunities.
“It should be noted that the World Bank rewarded Bungoma County with a grant of 212 million grant for prudent use of World Bank funds by the administration of Governor Wycliffe Wangamati,” said Murgor.
He said from the Sh. 300 million given to Bungoma County, Bungoma town is set to benefit with a sum of Sh 100m while Kimilili has been allocated Sh.200M.
Speaking to participants, Director for Urban Planning, Wellington Sindani noted that this project which is set to run for six months starting in May this year, was subject to subsequent allocation in future only if they run according to the time frame given, proper documentation and reporting done and fruitful cooperation between the executive, the County Assembly and the general public.
Sindani said that the department has identified three projects for this particular allocation for Bungoma Municipality.
These roads will be constructed in partnership with the Department of Roads.
He said the roads are Sheriff Centres to Prisons, Khetias Stores to Mama Fanta at a cost of Sh. 48,389,766 and Kanduyi to Makutano at a cost of Sh. 52,880,519.
The County Assembly led by the Clerk, John Mosongo assured the public of the assembly’s total support in ensuring development is realised in Bungoma.
Members of the public lauded the County government for initiating the municipal charter that made the grant to be awarded.
They however, urged the government to give them adequate time to vacate areas where the roads will pass and also allow them offer what little service they can to the project.
Eddy Okello one of the residents asked the department to consider the Mteremko-Machinjoni road in the next allocation.
George Wekesa on his part asked the leaders to put aside their differences and work for the people of Bungoma.
He lamented about the many petitions that are threatening development from reaching the people, saying that bad politics should not compromise the development journey in Bungoma.
By Maureen Imbayi
