Health and roads are my key scores, says Munya

Meru, Kenya: Meru Governor Peter Munya has said his administration has made milestones in its quest to improve residents' living standards.

Mr Munya said the biggest challenges he has faced in his two years in office were lack of resources for development activities, political interference and rampant grabbing of public land, which had denied his government and investors opportunities.

"We do not have enough personnel to man our health facilities. We have been forced to take some personnel for more training at Aga Khan University Hospital and sign an exchange programme deal with Nottingham Hospital (in the UK)," he said.

"The political environment is also very difficult and that is a challenge as I work to initiate and expand projects. A lot of local and national politicians have not accepted the new reality of devolution and want to fight the county government all the time," he added.

Munya said development programmes are pegged on a long-term plan to build infrastructure to support and spur economic activities. He said the building of roads using the Probase Technology he copied from Malaysia was key to his goal of achieving development in the vast county.

CHEAPER TECHNOLOGY

"We have made serious infrastructural development. Previously impassable rural roads are now accessible. Our goal now is to do 300km using probase, a cheaper technology from Malaysia that ensures roads last a long time," he said.

The governor said the county already had 300km of tarmac and the additional 300km would be a game changer, as it would enhance agricultural, transport and other economic activities.

Roads in Maua, Timau, and other urban and rural settings have been upgraded. In addition, once dusty and muddy bus parks had been paved in many towns.