Kirinyaga county government has already rehabilitated 225km of roads of the 500km earmarked for this financial year under the Nyorosha Barabara Mashinani programme.
The rehabilitation which includes grading and graveling involves rural access roads among them ones in the expansive Mwea irrigation scheme.
Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru said that the rehabilitation programme is aimed at achieving well-drained and all-weather roads within the county.
Waiguru said this will enhance accessibility across the county and aid the smooth movement of produce from the farms to the markets.
She launched the programme during her first term where she managed to murram about 500km and grade more than 2,500 others.
To improve on the efficiency of the in-house roads programme, Waiguru also procured road construction equipment that includes five graders, 10 trucks-20 tons, two excavators, one low bed/loader, one backhoe, two roller compactors and one water bowser.
Earlier this month when she flagged off the county’s in-house road construction equipment, Waiguru promised that the department of roads will work around the clock to ensure that the targets set are met and pledged to ensure that the equipment was in good condition and fuelled as required.
The County Executive for Roads, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Infrastructure, Jared Migwi, said that out of the 225km covered so far, 105km has been murram while the rest have been graded. Graveling of the rest is ongoing.
“We intend to complete the 500kms by next month to ensure the roads are accessible and farmers are able to transport their produce to the markets during the expected long rains,” Migwi said.
The county residents have welcomed the programme saying that it will go a long way in reducing the cost of production for farm produce since it will be cheaper to transport farm inputs.
Speaking during a site visit to one of the roads under rehabilitation in Kariti ward, area MCA Jeremiah Makimi, said that the promises made to the electorate during the campaigns are now being fulfilled and he is happy to play his part.
“For a long time, the roads in Kariti have been impassable during the rainy seasons. I am pleased that together with Governor Waiguru, we are finally going to get well-drained all-weather roads not just in my ward but across the county," Makimi said.
Erastus Gathumbi, a resident of Kariti said that they are happy because Governor Waiguru has remembered to fulfill her election campaign pledges.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
