Mukaa Deputy County Commissioner Buxton Mayabi has ordered farmers who have encroached on the Mikiyu River Bridge along the Sultan Hamud-Kasikeu-Kyambeke road to vacate immediately to allow the road construction to continue.
The Sultan Hamud-Kasieku-Kyambeke road will cost more than Sh 1.8 billion.
DCC Mayabi asked farmers who have crops in the river to uproot or cut them down to allow construction of the Sultan Hamud-Kasikeu-Kyambeke road without any hindrance.
“I appeal to those farmers who have planted crops in the riparian land to uproot or cut them down," Mayabi said.
"In case you can’t remove the crops, we shall ask the Kabuito contractor to do the work so that the road construction can continue."
He spoke at a baraza held next to the Mikuyu River Bridge on Wednesday.
Some farmers have planted crops like cabbages, kale, and mangoes that have impacted negatively on the river.
The river is next to Mikuyu Bridge, where deaths have been witnessed due to flooding of the Mikuyu River.
The DCC said this is aimed at preventing the river from bursting its banks to avoid the destruction of the road embankment.
“I urge all residents who have encroached on the river’s riparian land to relocate immediately for work to continue uninterrupted,” Mayabi said.
Director Infrastructure Government Delivery Services Engineer Butichi Khamisi reiterated the need for those in the riparian land to move, saying transport will be improved greatly in the area.
Khamisi reminded the residents they are the eyes of the government and are collectively obligated to report anything they see on projects being implemented in the area.
“The government has invested billions of shillings here; this is geared towards improving the provision of services to you.
"It is your collective responsibility to report on anybody opposing the project; you are the eyes of the government on the ground,” Khamisi said.
A team toured and inspected the progress on the Emali-Ukia road to establish the delay in completing the tarmacking of a six-kilometre stretch.
