Kenyan government launches mega roads projects

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia (right) with Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a unveil a plaque to launch the construction of Broadway-Kiandutu-Athena and Engen-Kiganjo-Muthaiga roads in Thika. [PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE]

Kiambu residents have something to smile about after the national government launched road construction projects worth billions of shillings.

The county will have 140km of roads tarmacked in the next three years.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta during a tour of the county launched the construction of the Ruaka-Banana-Thogoto-Gikambura-Mutarakwa-Limuru Road.

The 60km road, which cuts across three constituencies — Kiambaa, Kikuyu and Limuru — will be built at a cost of Sh2.8 billion.

It is expected to open up areas and link them to southern and northern bypasses and the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

And last Friday, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia launched the construction of 80km roads in Gatundu South, Gatundu North and Thika town constituencies, which will be built at a cost of Sh5 billion.

The roads launched included Muigai-inn-Gachika-Gatundu-Kang’oo, which will be constructed at a cost of Sh2.2 billion and Kibichoi-Ichaweri-Gachika, which will cost Sh1.2 billion.

 Uhuru’s Home

In Thika, Broadway-Kiandutu-Athena-Muthaiga road will be built at a cost of Sh580 million while Courtesy Beach Loop Road will be constructed at a cost of Sh207 million.

One of roads to be built in Gatundu South is the one leading to the President’s rural home in Ichaweri. The roads will be built by H-young.

Speaking in Thika town, Macharia said the construction will help boost the economy of the county and the country in general. “Already, we have launched construction of new roads in Bungoma, Kericho and Taita-Taveta counties,” said Macharia.

Transport Principal Secretary John Musonik said tenders for the construction of a further 3,000km roads in the country will be awarded in the next three months.

Locals welcomed the projects, expressing hope that tarmacking of the roads would pave way for easy transportation of farm produce. “With improved road network, the movement of our farm produce will be easier and faster,” said Bernard Njuguna, a farmer from Gatundu South.

However, a section of residents from Lari constituency said they were unhappy with the Government, noting the area has been sidelined since no single road has been earmarked for construction under the programme.

Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and her Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu thanked the Government for the projects.