- The road is being constructed by the government through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) at a cost of Sh1 billion.
- The construction commenced early last year and was expected to be completed in 30 months.
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a has allayed fears that the Kenya Kwanza government will abandon projects initiated by the previous regime in the area.
The lawmaker made the remarks following an outcry from Thika East residents over stalling of the Sh1 billion Gatuanyaga ring-road, the first tarmack road in the area, that will stretch from Muguga-Ngurai-Munyu-Githima-Kang’oki-Kisii and back to the Thika-Garissa Highway.
The road is being constructed by the government through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) at a cost of Sh1 billion. The construction commenced early last year and was expected to be completed in 30 months.
Residents had raised concerns claiming the contractor (Interways Works Limited) had moved machineries from the site and that the construction works had stalled since August last year.
Ng’ang’a who spoke while distributing relief food to some 4,500 starving households in the semi-arid part of the constituency on Friday, said the government headed by President William Ruto has pledged to prioritise completing the ongoing projects.
“We had a meeting with the President as Kiambu leaders and he promised to first complete all ongoing projects including this crucial road,” she said.
The lawmaker divulged that she has reached out to KURA and the contractor over stalling of the road and found out that the contractor had not received payment.
“Funds were yet to be released to the contractor and hence the reason construction works halted. However, I have held talks with the relevant authorities and they have promised to expedite release of the money so that the works can continue,” Ng’ang’a said.
The MP noted that the road is crucial as it will open up the region for investments, boost trade and spur the region’s economy.
“Expect land prices in Thika East villages to triple, once the road is complete because accessibility to Thika town will be eased. The region has massive land tracts that are suitable for industries and therefore it will attract more investors,” she said.
Early this month, residents protested against the stalling of the road expressing their fear that it might take years to be completed and thereby plunging them to more suffering.
The residents decried that despite cooperating with the government, the contractor is yet to move to site and that they are worried that the project might take years to complete.
“Residents who had encroached on the road reserve have moved and all structures have been demolished. We have complied but we are still suffering and we are worried that our suffering will not end any time soon because no works are being undertaken on the road,” said resident Joseph Mwaura.
The residents who had barricaded the road for hours said the road was in a dire state paralysing transport and movement especially along the Kisii-Kang’oki-Githima-Munyu stretch.
Motorists plying the route decried huge losses they have been incurring due to the deplorable state of the road. “We hardly go for a week without visiting the mechanic. the cost of repairing and maintaining our vehicles has become too high,” said Henry Wainaina, a matatu operator.
Once complete, the road will be a Class B road, 6.5 meters wide with provision for pedestrian walkways and a lane for cyclists, able to withstand heavy trucks that ferry stones from quarries in the area.