Kirinyaga County Government has adopted the use of a more effective and
efficient road construction technology to enhance durability of rural access
roads across the county.
Construction of roads under the ongoing Nyorosha Barabara Mashinani
the project is utilizing a mixture of hardcore and quarry dust as the main
building materials as opposed to the usual murram that was previously
used.
The County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Jared Migwi, has
said that once the mixture is laid on a well graded road, it is then
compacted with a drum roller which gives it a compact and a smooth finish.
“These materials cannot be easily washed away by storm water and roads
constructed using this technology are more durable and can last for up to
three years without repairs. This will not only give the taxpayers value for
their money but will also save us money that can be used to cover more
roads,” said Migwi
He added that the county is also ensuring that the construction
incorporates a good storm water drainage system.
assembly and other stakeholders like the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).
Nyorosha Mashinani program which was launched by Governor Anne
Waiguru is projected to cover more than 500km of roads across the county in
the current financial year. So far 327km have been graded and more than
150 kilometers murrammed.
The governor said that the program aims at achieving well drained all
weather access roads.
One of the wards that has greatly benefited from this program is Mutithi in
Mwea. The area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jinaro Jamumo who
is also the assembly’s Deputy Speaker, said that the ongoing road
rehabilitation will turn around the fortunes for his ward.
attracts thousands of traders dealing in fresh produce.
Jamumo said that a good road network will enable efficient transportation of
tomatoes from the farms to the market. Most of the tomatoes sold in the
markets come from areas such as Kianjogu and Ng’othi. Motor vehicles,
motorbikes and donkey carts which are the main mode of transport in the
area can now navigate around the farms collecting farm produce for
transportation to the market.
He said that the roads will also open up the area for real estate
development as more people move in to settle around the ward’s urban
and trading centers.
“People will always look for areas with developed infrastructure to settle in
and we are happy that the ongoing roads rehabilitation in our ward is
attracting investors and settlers thereby raising the value of our land,” he
said.
He added that the program is a response to calls by residents during public
participation forums in which they prioritized the construction of all-weather
roads across the ward.
their money and such projects go a long way in ensuring that is achieved.
He pointed out that in two weeks’ time, the program will have covered
around 10 kilometers across Mutithi.
Lucy Wanja Karagu, 70 year old woman residing in Canaan area in the
the outskirts of Kagio town narrated how the previous poor state of roads
affected the area residents. She said that while motor vehicles were unable
to navigate around the estates, those who chose to use boda boda were
not safe as they were prone to accidents due to the uneven nature and
potholes that riddled the roads. Those who did not want to risk their lives
opted to walk long distances which would be complicated if one had
luggage. She says that they are now enjoying motor vehicles and boda
boda rides and transport has become cheaper for them.
Her sentiments were echoed by Benson Kamau, a boda boda rider from
Kagio. He says that business is now booming since they are able to take
their customers to the interior parts of the ward without any problem.
“Whether there are rain or not, we are now carrying on with our business
uninterrupted and we don’t risk having accidents due to bad roads.” he
said.
He lauded Governor Waiguru for the initiative saying that she is fulfilling her
promises to the county residents.
In Mutira Ward, coffee farmers are the major beneficiaries of the access
roads projects. “The two-kilometer stretch from Giagatogo- Mbari Ya Tubii
road as well as Kauiru Kiarugu-Kariiria road will help farmers delivering
coffee to Mutitu Coffee factory by a great deal,” said Bosco Gichangi, a
nominated MCA who hails from Mutira.
To improve on efficiency of the in-house roads program, Waiguru during
her last term procured road construction equipment that include five
graders, 10 trucks-20tons, two excavators, one low bed/loader, one
backhoe, two roller-compactors and one water bowser.
