• The project will link Thika Superhighway and the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway through Juja and Gatundu North.
• Area MP Wanjiku Kibe said the road will end the suffering of Mutuma and Kirai villagers.
Image: John Kamau
The Kenya Rural Roads Authority has begun tarmacking Mang’u-Bob Harris-Ndarugo road in Gatundu North.
The Sh800 million project will link Thika Superhighway and the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway through Juja and Gatundu North. The 15-kilometre road is expected to be complete by early 2022, according to project manager Joseph Mbugua.
Mbugua on Saturday said funds are in intact and the contractor is already on site. “The contractor has already begun working on the road and we expect it to be complete in 18 months though we are working hard to ensure it’s completed earlier than the scheduled time,” he said.
Mbugua spoke during a public-participation meeting in Mang’u town centre. He said that after the improvement of the road to bitumen standards, drainage will be constructed and street lights installed to boost security.
Area MP Wanjiku Kibe said the road will end the suffering of Mutuma and Kirai villagers. They have endured decades of pain because of its deplorable state, she said.
“This road is used by thousands of residents who have been suffering due to its poor state but their suffering will now be a thing of the past. Again, it’s a crucial road since motorists can easily travel from the Thika Superhighway to the Nairobi-Nakuru highway at a very short time,” she said.
The upgrade will enable it to open up the region for investment, boost trade and spur economic growth.
“Most Gatundu North residents are farmers and once the road is complete, they will be able to conveniently take their produce to markets within Thika and Nairobi. Again, there are huge tracts of land and estates along the road that will attract real estate developers,” the lawmaker said.
The road is part of the 100-kilometre route set to be tarmacked by the government in Gatundu North constituency. “Some of the roads like the 30km Gatukuyu-Kairi-Mataara road are underway and others are set to commence in a few months' time,” Kibe said.
She urged the contractor to ensure 30 per cent of site jobs go to her constituents. Residents who spoke during the forum welcomed the project, saying it’s a godsend and will end their suffering and boost their economy significantly.
“God has answered our prayers... It will ease transport and bring more development in our villages. Also, this project will make land prices skyrocket, value for our land will rise,” Kimani Gachihi said.
They, however, told the contractor to ensure drainage is well built and culverts are used to branch the road to their home entrances.
Edited by F'Orieny