The Mountain Journal
Residents of Kianyaga town and its environs are all smiles
after the completion of tarmacking of access roads and improvement of drainage
system within the town.
The project which was commissioned by the Governor Anne Waiguru two years ago involved upgrading of 4.6 kilometers of roads to bitumen
standards.
The project was a collaboration between the County
Government of Kirinyaga and the National Government through the Stormwater
Drainage and Urban Development project. The project is aimed at improving water
drainage systems and offer sustainable storm water management in various towns
in the County.
Residents of Kamiigua village in Kabare ward who are part of
the community that has benefited from the project expressed joy over a new
tarmacked link road that connects Kianyaga-Kutus road with Kutus-Samson Corner
Road at Rukenya.
“Previously, this road was so narrow that even an ox-cart
and a motorcycle couldn’t pass each other. During the rainy seasons, taking our
produce to the market was a total nightmare. We as the residents are overly
excited for this new road and want to thank the county government for a job
well done,” said one of the residents Benson Ngondi.
Speaking at Kianyaga town, section of the residents said upgrading
of the roads would lead to improved livelihood.
“When it rained, the elderly people, especially women could
not make it to church since the road was so slippery. However, right now,
everyone can comfortably access the church and other amenities,” she added.
The County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical
Planning and Urban Planning, Rev. Samuel Kanjobe said that the project has
completely changed the face of Kianyaga town.
“This project will change the face of the
fast-growing town and provide an inclusive, efficient and conducive business
environment that will spur economic growth for the people,” said Kanjobe.
The roads covered by the project includes, Catholic
dispensary link road-1.4km, Kianyaga Government Houses link road-1.2km, Kiburia
Girls School junction to ICT Centre road-0.4km, Children Home link road-0.4km
and Kamiigua–Rukenya road-1.2km.
Governor Waiguru says Kianyaga’s upgrade is one of the major
transformative infrastructural development programs being undertaken in the county’s
urban towns. Other towns that have been upgraded include Kerugoya, Kutus, Kagio
where about 25,000 square meters of cabro pavements have already been laid
creating more than 800 car parking slots and easy accessibility of business
premises.
A similar upgrade program is currently going on in Wang’uru
town where over 30kms of roads are being tarmacked while Kutus town is also
earmarked for tarmacking of more streets.
“The projects are part of an elaborate plan by the County
Government to continually improve the municipality’s infrastructure as an
enabler to socio-economic development and improved livelihoods for all the
residents.” said the governor.
Apart from tarmacking and installation of street lights, the
County Government has also been constructing modern markets in various towns in
the county with the aim of providing a conducive environment for traders. In
the last five years Waiguru’s administration has constructed a total of 16
markets which include Makutano, Wang’uru, Kagio Cereals, Kagio Clothes Market,
Kutus, Kerugoya, Kianyaga, Kagumo, Kiamutugu, Sagana and Kibingoti.
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