Move will give a facelift to the town that has for a long time been characterised by dusty roads
by The Star
Audio By Vocalize
One of the many streets being tarmacked by Kenya Urban Roads Authority in Murang'a town estates.
@Alicewangechi
Kenya Urban Roads Authority is undertaking a Sh1 billion project to upgrade streets in estates neighbouring Murang’a town.
The roads, some of which have been completed, will give a facelift to the town that has for a long time been characterised by dusty roads.
Murang’a town was established in 1902 by white governor Francis Hall. Hall was appointed the governor of the county in 1900 and was among the first settlers in the country.
Hall was impressed by the area that is now Murang’a town as it is between two big rivers, Mathioya and Maragua, and was filled by a lush green vegetation.
But since the white settler established a fort that served as his office, the town has undergone slow growth, with many local businessmen choosing to establish businesses in Nairobi and the nearby Kiambu counties.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro during a public participation area in Kandundu estate near Murang'a town.
According to Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, the streets upgrade will turn Murang’a town into a proper county headquarters and make life easier for residents.
In Kabuta area that has been absorbing the spill-over of residents from Murang’a town, the authority is tarmacking to Mitundu-Kigetu-ini-Mahua-ini road.
The authority will also upgrade Mukuyu-Majoyce road while Mumbi and Mjini estates have had their streets tarmacked. Cabros have also been installed around Mukuyu market.
The street from MTN petrol station to breakthrough church, Gaitega-Gituri and Muchungucha- Gacharu roads will also be tarmacked.
“Once completed, these roads will improve the outlook of the town and save residents from dust and mud. Murang’a town has for a long time been left behind infrastructure wise and that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to improve it,” Nyoro said.
The MP however appealed to residents to ensure they keep off road reserves to make it easier for the authority to implement the projects.
Speaking at Kandundu area during a public participation ceremony for the upgrade of Kandundu road, the MP said some road projects stall due to encroachment into road reserves.
KURA director Abdul Rashid in Murang'a town on March 12, 2024.
“If you consider the issue objectively as a land owner, you will find there is a lot of value created by the upgrade of roads. All these roads we’re upgrading are short but serve densely populated areas.”
Kura director Abdul Rashid said nine roads projects are about to commence around Murang’a town while others are on-going or completed.
“This is a huge opportunity to transform Murang’a town. Added together, all these projects are worth about Sh1 billion,” he said.
He urged residents to support the projects by ensuring they clear off corridors reserved for roads to make it easier for contractors to do their jobs.
Rashid further appealed to residents who file court cases over compensation to consider having them resolved out of court to hasten the process and ensure projects don’t stall.
“There is a road here that stalled three years ago after residents went to court. This derails development. These projects boost the value of nearby lands,” he said.
This is premium content
Subscribe to Continue Reading
Help us continue bringing you unbiased news, in-depth investigations, and diverse perspectives. Your subscription keeps our mission alive and empowers us to provide high-quality, trustworthy journalism. Join us today to make a difference!
