The County Government of Kiambu has devised a new framework of opening up rural and feeder access roads at a low cost.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi said the government is investing on roads to improve movement, trade as well as farming.
He said in the new measures, they have eliminated cartels who used to pocket most of the the funds and instead put the Roads CEC in charge.
The county is also using its available equipment like the graders in upgrading rural roads and this, the governor said, has seen the cost go down.
“Our people will not suffer again owing to poor road network. A lot of money was used and only a few kilometres of roads were rehabilitated, but we aim at reducing the cost and achieving more kilometres,” he said.
Wamatangi said since he came into office, the county government has assembled road construction units of county-owned graders, roller compactors, trucks, water bowsers and excavators which have been opening up new roads and undertaking routine maintenance on feeder roads at a significantly reduced cost.
The excavators have been stockpiling murrum and other road construction materials from quarries owned by the county.
“This has reduced the cost of the gravelling material to only fuelling the excavators and ferrying trucks,” Wamatangi said.
He said they have also enhanced efficiency, adding that the Roads CEC Mburu Kangethe and department officials are incharge of the projects, including monitoring and evaluating the workmanship.
"A 3km road project that was costing Sh6 million is now costing Sh400,000. Previously, the works would be allocated to contractors and the excess funds would be shared among some county officials, leaders and brokers,” he said.
The governor said there has been a lot of criticism since the county embarked on the programme.
“Disgruntled cartels and their accomplices have been complaining, they thought I would allow the pattern to continue," he said on Wednesday.
Wamatangi said, since he took office in August last year, the department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utilities has opened up and rehabilitated over 400 rural access roads in 40 out of the 60 wards at a rate of four wards per week.
"So far, we have graded roads in Juja, Ruiru, Kabete, Ngoliba, Thika, Limuru, Githunguri, Lari and Kikuyu. I have an elaborate plan to source funding for that," Wamatangi said.
Joseph Kimani, a farmer, lauded the government for upgrading roads saying at least they will be passable this rainy season.
“We are moving easily on the roads which have been graded especially during this rainy season,” he said at Githirioni in Lari constituency.
The governor however urged for understanding from residents saying the ongoing rains are hampering the road works, but assured that as soon as the rains subside, the works will resume.
-Edited by SKanyara