Nakuru sets Sh100 million towards roads repair

Nakuru county has allocated Sh100 million towards repairing feeder roads affected by recent rains that left a trail of destruction.

The cash will be used to maintain critical roads in all 55 wards, as the government seeks a higher budget to rehabilitate the infrastructure. 

Heavy rains pounded the country three months ago, killing tens of people, sweeping away property worth millions and destroying structures. 

Naivasha was one of the hard hit constituencies, after a dam burst in Kijabe area, killing over 60 people in Mai Mahiu and destroying roads.

CEC for Roads and Infrastructure Michael Kamau said the funds had come in handy.

“Most of the repair works have been undertaken using the county machinery and staff and are targeting roads damaged by the recent rains,” he said.

Initially, Sh100 million had been set aside  for road works.

“We are working on a bigger budget targeting major roads that were affected by the rains and we shall be using contractors for the repairs,” he said.

Kamau spoke after touring the Naivasha-Mirera road, where a connecting bridge was swept off by the rains.

Hellsgate MCA Virginia Wamaitha said the rains had left a trail of destruction mainly in the ward that is home to hundreds of flower farm workers.

Repair works on the Musaka bridge would start in a few months, once the county released funds to the contractor.

“Motorists using this road that connects Naivasha to Mirera estate have suffered for a long time but this will soon be a thing of the past,” she said.

Bodaboda chairman Stephen Kamau said they were incurring losses in repairing their motorcycles, adding that the road works were long overdue.

This was echoed by Francis Gachengo from the matatu sector, who called for the expansion of the busy road and construction of a permanent bridge to alleviate their perennial suffering.