Council plans to construct bypass

By FAITH RONOH

Plans are under way to construct a bypass in Eldoret town to decongest the busy Central Business District.

The bypass estimated to cost about Sh1.5 billion will be built by the Eldoret Municipal Council in partnership with Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

The council engineer, Lutta Jones Nduta, said the bypass would go through Nairobi road in the town, Kisumu road, and finally connect to Leseru area where it joins Uganda road.

Nduta said feasibility studies are under way and the construction will begin next year.

“The main bypass is one of the projects geared towards minimising congestion in a town that is currently jammed by motor vehicles,” he said.

The engineer explained that African Development Bank (ADB) is funding the project.

The council Public Relations Officer Johnston Kotut said they identified the corridor for the bypass earlier this year after they realised that the CBD was facing major congestion.

Kotut said they made proposals concerning the construction to KeNHA who responded and agreed to undertake the project.

“We used to undertake such projects before the introduction of construction authorities. However, it is our responsibility to ensure that we spearhead the projects,” Kotut said.

Kotut said the scheme is a great investment opportunity to Uasin Gishu County terming it as a great opening to investors from within the country and other neighbouring states.

He noted that farmers from the region will benefit from it because it will aid in transportation of produce to reach the market in time.

The council engineer also confirmed that the bypass would be backed up by a minor one that will connect old Nairobi road to Malaba road.

He said all the plans are aimed at opening up investment opportunities in the grain basket region apart from just easing congestion in the town.

“The completion of the bypass will be a major boost to the region’s economy because it will attract investors,” Nduta said.