A section of Meru leaders have decried the
snail-paced development projects being undertaken in the county.
They said the multi-million shilling projects
especially roads launched by the Jubilee administration had stalled due to lack
of funding.
Meru Politicians
Among the stalled roads include
Cocacola-Kithaku-Katheri-Kariene-Giaki, Nkubu-Uruku-Kithirune, St
Ann-Kagaene-Miomponi, Mikinduri-Kunati and Kanyakine-Mbeti-Mitunguu.
Others launched by the President Uhuru
Kenyatta during the last campaign include Meru Town-Mpuri-Kithaku-Katheri and
Kithurine-Kariene-Kaguma-Gaitu-Giaki road worth Sh1.8 billion, and
Kunene-Kagaene-Miomponi Sh1.1 billion roads.
Led by Meru senator Mithika Linturi, the
elected leaders lamented that during the 2013 and 2017 elections, they voted
for Mr Kenyatta to a man hoping against hope that development projects would be
implemented but there is little to show for their support.
They asked the State to fund contractors so
that the projects are fast tracked and complete by 2022.
“We want to state that they have been very
slow process in the implementation of the road projects that are being
undertaken in the county and we want to appeal to government to ensure that
they able to facilitate contractors to ensure projects are fast tracked so that
people of Meru can get the roads that were promised,’’ said the Senator in a
press briefing in his office.
Others are MPs Kathuri Murungi (South Imenti),
Gichunge Kabeabea (Tigania East) ,Kubai Kiringo (Igembe Central) , John Paul
Mwirigi (Igembe South), Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri) , John Mutunga (Tigania
West) Moses Kirima (Imenti central) and Kathuri Murungi (Imenti South)
complained that some projects which were commissioned four years ago are yet to
kickoff.
The leaders also took issue with 540Km Mau Mau
roads that will traverse Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties
saying Meru had many freedom fighters like the four counties.
The leaders cited General
Musa Mwariama and General Baimungi Marete saying Meru was discriminated against
in Mau Mau road allocation.
“The government is spending Sh30 Billion on
what is calling Mau Mau roads; these are roads that are supposed to connect
counties that seriously fought for independence and when we look at how the
design distribution those roads is being done we want to say we’re
uncomfortable as people of Meru and we demand that those kilometres of beyond
500 should find themselves in Meru.
Meru county nobody does know the role played
by Mau Mau Generals Mwariama and Baimungi in the struggle for independence and
if these roads are supposed to honour freedom fighters Meru must be in a
position to get a share of these roads ,’’ the Senator said.
The road projects will be implemented at a
cost of Sh30 billion, with construction scheduled to take three years.
They also asked the Head of State to initiate
talks with Somali President in order to unlock the only remaining miraa market.
They asked the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary
Peter Munya to iron out miraa issues once and for all.
They also appealed to the State to seek a khat
market in Mozambique and Djibouti.
“We have a miraa market in Djibouti and
Mozambique, we will be happy if the government gets a market for our produce in
these countries, ‘’ said Dr Mutunga.
Our news lines are
Mobile
Phone (SMS)0719-889-925
www.themountainjournal.co.ke
