Tea and dairy farmers in Runyenjes constituency are set to benefit from the ongoing construction of the Rukuriri-Kathageri-Kanyuambora road.
Residents
say the project will ease transport challenges that have for decades
hindered agricultural production and access to markets.
The 25-kilometre road is being upgraded to bitumen standard at a cost of Sh2.2 billion under the national government's road improvement programme.
Once
complete, it will enhance connectivity between tea-growing areas, collection
centres and factories, while linking farmers to markets in Runyenjes and
neighbouring Mbeere North constituency.
"For many years we carried tea on our backs because vehicles could not
access some sections of the road, especially during the rainy season. This road
will transform farming by making it easier to transport our produce," farmer Paul Njiru said.
The road is expected to improve access to the Rukuriri Kenya Tea Development
Agency (KTDA) factory and various tea buying centres, reducing the time taken
to transport green leaf from farms and minimising post-harvest losses
associated with delayed collection.
Besides tea farming, the project is expected to benefit dairy, coffee and
horticultural farmers by lowering transport costs, improving access to milk
cooling facilities and opening up rural trading centres that have remained
difficult to reach because of poor roads.
The road also serves several schools, health facilities and shopping centres,
with residents expressing optimism the improved infrastructure will
stimulate business growth and attract more investment to the area.
Njiru said the poor state of the road had forced many farmers to walk long
distances carrying tea to collection centres because tea collection vehicles
could not reach some villages whenever heavy rains rendered the road
impassable.
He said farmers often had to use longer alternative routes while tea
collection trucks were delayed for hours, increasing the cost of transporting
produce and reducing efficiency during peak harvesting seasons.
Another farmer, Kelvin Gitonga, said delayed collection frequently affected
the quality of green leaf, ultimately reducing farmers' earnings because tea
remained at buying centres for extended periods before being transported to the
factory.
"With sections of the road now complete, we can easily access the New
KCC milk cooling plant in Runyenjes. Before, transporting milk was difficult
because of the poor road," he said.
Residents said the improved road would also reduce vehicle maintenance costs
for transporters, encourage public service vehicles to operate in previously
inaccessible areas and improve access to emergency health services.
The Rukuriri-Kathageri-Kanyuambora road is among major infrastructure
projects being implemented by the national government to improve rural road
networks and support agricultural productivity in key farming regions.
The road links productive tea, coffee and dairy zones with processing factories
and major highways, making it a critical transport corridor for thousands of
households that depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
It was launched by President William Ruto in August 2024 during his development
tour of Embu county. He said the upgrade would unlock the region's
agricultural potential by improving the movement of tea, coffee, dairy and
other farm produce while enhancing access to schools, health facilities and
markets.
The project is also expected to strengthen trade between Runyenjes and
Mbeere North by improving movement of farm produce, farm inputs and other
goods, while enhancing access to public services for communities living along
the corridor.
Residents said better roads would encourage investors to
establish businesses in the area, create employment opportunities for young
people and lower the cost of transporting goods to markets.
They have, however, appealed to the contractor to expedite the remaining
works so that communities can begin enjoying the full economic benefits of the
project without further delays.
"We have waited for this road for many years. We now hope the remaining
work will be completed quickly so farmers can fully benefit from better
transport and improved access to markets," Njiru said.
Instant Analysis
The 25-kilometre road is being upgraded to bitumen standard under the national government's road improvement programme. Once complete, it will enhance connectivity between tea-growing areas, collection centres and factories, while linking farmers to markets in Runyenjes and neighbouring Mbeere North constituency.
