Murang'a residents decry poor state of roads

@Alicewangechi

Residents of Karinga in Kigumo constituency, Murang'a county have decried the poor state of Karinga- Ikumbi road.

The road is part of the 540-kilometre Mau Mau road network that the government promised to complete.

Residents said the contractor abandoned the project that has been severely degraded by rains.

President William Ruto, who toured the area last year in July, promised to complete the road to boost area's economic activities.

The road also connects Murang’a to Nyandarua county through Njabi-ini.

Peter Kamau, a resident, said the wait has become long despite the high hopes given by Ruto.

“The president said the road will be ready within one year. The year has ended and nothing has been done," he said.

“Why did he launch a road before it was completed? The launching should have come afterwards. Let him know that nothing is yet to happen and we are suffering.”

Many accidents have occurred on the roads due to the poor state.

Karinga is an agricultural area and locals depend on tea, dairy and horticultural farming to earn a living.

“We use boda boda to transport farm produce but they keep falling because the road is in a poor state,” Milcah Wairimu, a resident, said.

Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro said he is pushing the government to complete the roads.

The Sh30 billion road starts from Kiambu county, passes through Murang’a and Nyandarua and ends in Nyeri.

The road's construction started in 2019 to honour Mau Mau fighters. It follows the routes they used fight colonialists.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a visit in Murang'a last month assured locals that the government is looking for funds to complete the road.