Construction works start on key road in Kakamega

The tarmacking of the Sh457 million Bushangala–Lusiola–Chavakalli junction road has started.

The 13-kilometre road will create an easy linkage between Kakamega and Vihiga counties and enhance road network.

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said his administration will meet the cost of tarmacking an extra four kilometres of the road stretching into Vihiga County.

"We have decided to tarmac part of four kilometres that is in Vihiga County because our neighbours could not do it following our requests due to financial constraints," said the governor.

According to the county chief, it would be unfair for the people of Vihiga if the road is tarmacked on Kakamega side and leave them to struggle with a muddy four-kilometer stretch on their side.

“It is within the spirit of inter-counties agreement on development issues that we agreed to go out of our way as a county,” said Oparanya.

Kakamega County Executive Committee Member for Transport and Roads, Collins Matemba, said the two-year project will be ready by 2021.

"Construction is going on and status of the road now is about 35 per cent done," he told journalists, moments after inspection of the road yesterday.

It is among key roads in the county, which have been in a sorry state for decades subjecting residents to communication and movement challenges.

Dr Matemba added that the road will open up the region and boost economic activities