President Uhuru comes to terms with poor state of roads in Kisii

 

The Nyachenge-Tabaka road in South Mugirango, Kisii County, that shocked President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday. Despite the road playing a key role in the county's economy, it has not been maintained in years. The President promised that funds would be set aside to improve the state of the road. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Tuesday awakened to the reality of the poor state of roads in Kisii County when he opted to drive on some of the worst stretches in the region during his two-day political campaigns in the area.

The President’s motorcade used three potholed roads on his trip - Jogoo-Nyatieko, Nyatieko-Nyakoe and Nyachenge-Tabaka.

But it was the Tabaka-Nyachenge road, which is key to the county’s economy, that caught the attention of the head of State, who promised to set funds aside for tarmacking.

“I am used to flying but today I must admit that this road is in a poor state. I have heard your cries and once I get to Nairobi I will ensure that we have enough funds to improve the state of this major road,” said Uhuru.

And in what seemed to be a plan to have the President not access the Kisii-Marani road, the organisers of his trip opted for a shortcut to Nyatieko market, where his motorcade was diverted to join the Kisii-Kisumu road at Nyakoe market.

Kisii residents have been complaining about the roads in the region, particularly those in the town.

The President also met the family of Alfred Matundura, 70, at his humble home in Masimba.

Uhuru entered the elderly couple’s mud house and sat on wooden seats to hear first-hand how the national government’s cash transfer programme was helping them.

He said all people aged 70 and above would qualify for the cash transfer initiative.

People’s vote

But Timothy Bosire, an Opposition leader from the region, said the President’s pledge was not enough to sway the people’s vote in favour of Jubilee.

“This is a way of fooling Kenyans and particularly Kisii residents to vote for Jubilee. In the 21st century the community has matured politically and nobody can intimidate us to change our political stand.

The President should understand that the community has been ignored for a long time and such last-minute activities will not change the situation,” said Mr Bosire.

The Kitutu Masaba MP said Jubilee leaders had lost direction and resorted to public relations gimmicks in an effort to change the Kenyan mindset.