Good roads key to growth, says Macharia

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia. (Photo: Boniface Gikandi/Standard)

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has said that the Jubilee Government has invested billions of shillings in road improvement projects to enhance transport.

Mr Macharia spoke when he launched Kiria-Kagaa-Kiruru-Githambo-Murarandia Road popularly referred as Mugoiri wa Tiri in Kiharu Murang’a to be built at a cost of Sh2.1 billion.

“Road construction has been given a lot of consideration by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration since he listens to public needs and that is why we have embarked aggressively on road construction,” the CS said.

Present at the launch were Governor Mwangi wa Iria, Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura, Murang’a MP Sabina Chege and her Kiharu colleague Irungu Kang’ata.

The function was however turned into a political rally after Governor Iria accused local leaders of linking him to mismanagement of public resources. Iria named the Senate deputy speaker, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau and his own deputy Gakure Monyo as those spreading malicious rumours against him, saying he was fed up with them.

“Kembi, I want to know from you what I have stolen to warrant you and two others to be spending weekends tarnishing my name in your political forums,” said the governor.

At the same time, Macharia urged residents of Murang’a not to be left behind and register in big numbers as voters to enable them participate in the electoral process.

He said the government is mobilising locals to actively participate in the forthcoming General Elections. “It is my concern that many youth are yet to register as voters. Let us use the opportunities available to us to speak to them about the importance of voting,” the CS said.