The government under Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is currently tarmacking a total of 262.5 kilometers of road within Murang’a County.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. James Macharia in recent past has been visiting the county to commission tarmacking of the roads purported to easy transport in rural areas.
The CS led other government officers to commission tarmacking of a 48- kilometers Mugeka-Gacharage road which will cost Sh. 1.43 billion.
Macharia who two weeks ago launched upgrading of Kiria-Murarandia road said the government is committed to ensure rural areas are served with good roads so as to boost economic activities in the areas.
In Murang’a, Macharia said the government has set Sh. 15 billion to upgrade eight roads by the end of this year.
“The tarmacking of the road will support growth of primary economic sectors of the county including tea and coffee farming, dairy farming and also facilitate accessibility to markets,” added the CS.
Machaira however divulged that there are challenges to competitively procure qualified contractors to undertake the road projects.
He reiterated that the government is opting to work with foreign contractors who are committed to complete tarmacking the roads at stipulated time.
“Kenyans are in need to be served with good road networks but we have realized that some local contractors are taking a lot of time to finish given work but we have started to replace the lazy contractors with foreign companies,” asserted Macharia.
Mathioya MP Clement Wambugu who was present lauded the government for commissioning tarmacking of three roads in his constituency.
Wambugu asked the contractors to give jobs to local youth arguing there is no need of employing people from other areas to do menial works.
The MP promised that he will do a follow-up to ensure that the locals are given the works so as to benefit during the construction.
Meanwhile the CS appealed to the residents of Murang’a to register as voters during the remaining two days.
He observed that Murang’a has not hit the target challenging local leaders to move out and ensure eligible people are registered as voters.