President Ruto launches Igembe North Road, KeRRA says it will be complete by December

KeRRA DG Eng. Philemon Kandie takes President William Ruto through the agency's road projects in the larger Meru region, during the launch of the Kaelo-Kamukunji-Mutuati road in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County on Saturday. [Courtesy]

President William Ruto on Saturday launched the Kaelo-Kamukunji-Mutuati road in Igembe North, Meru County.

The 10 km road is part of a total planned network of 440km under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) with its Director General Eng Philemon Kandie saying that the road will cost 630M.

"The total 440km to cost Sh17b billion, so far some 200km is done and the remaining 240km is to be completed by 2025," said Kandie.

Ruto said that the road would support agricultural activities by having farm produce comprising fresh produce, tea, coffee, miraa, and milk reach the markets faster.

Ruto said this is in the spirit of enhancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen was represented by PS Eng. Joseph Mbugua and Kandie.

During the exercise, PS Mbugua explained to the President how the improved road network would lead to faster transportation of farm produce to markets and improve accessibility to the Meru National Park in support of tourism.

Kandie said that with the commitment of 440km, and through the support of the national government, they have already completed 200km which is about 42 per cent.

The leaders thanked the President for the commitment offered by his government even under the current economic situation. The 10km road is set to be completed by December 2023.

The President also donated coolers to preserve the fresh farm produce and promised to partner with the Meru County Government to construct a mega market in Meru County worth Sh75 million.