Kiambu County Government has devised a new strategy for opening up rural and feeder access roads, which has reduced the cost of construction and enhanced efficiency.
The administration has assembled specialised road construction units that comprise dozens of county-owned graders, roller compactors, trucks, water bowsers, and excavators.
These have been instrumental in opening up new roads and undertaking routine maintenance on feeder roads at significantly reduced costs.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi announced that Rural Access Roads Rehabilitation Programme Road construction units aims to enhance the region’s infrastructure while optimising resource allocation.
“The use of county-owned equipment has resulted in substantial cost savings, enabling more extensive and frequent road maintenance and construction efforts,” he said.
He explained that three (3) km road project that was costing Sh 6 million is now costing Sh400, 000.
“Previously, the works would be allocated to contractors and the excess funds would be shared among some county officials, leaders, and brokers. That’s why there is an outcry from the disgruntled cartels and their minders who thought I would allow the pattern to continue,” he quipped
Wamatangi noted that since he took office in August 2022, the Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utilities has opened up and rehabilitated over 700 rural access roads in 40 out of the 60 wards at a rate of four wards per week
“So far, we have graded over 700 rural access roads in various wards, and excavation of murram in public quarries has kicked off in public quarries in Juja, Ruiru, Kabete, Ngoliba and Thika and Limuru sub-counties”, he added.
He added, “We are also sourcing for other sites in Githunguri, Lari, and Kikuyu. I intend to make all the areas accessible by the next of the year before moving to the next phase of tarmacking. I have an elaborate plan to source funding for that,” he added. – KNA
