Ganze residents want tarmacking of Bamba-Ganze-Kilifi road expedited

Ganze residents have urged the government to compel the contractor awarded the tender to tarmac the Bamba-Ganze-Kilifi road to begin work immediately.

Residents said the contractor has taken a lot of time setting up camp at Ganze trading centre.

John Katana, a matatu driver plying the route, said the road is in a sorry state and it will be worse when it starts raining.

“During the launch in November at Ganze, Transport CS James Macharia said construction work would start in three months’ time. It is now six months and not even a single inch has been touched. The government should make plans to make sure the project starts,” he said

Kazungu Katana, a Ganze town resident, said the construction of the camp was completed two months ago but was wondering why the road has not started.

“If the government approved everything, why is the construction not starting? We are looking at this project as a game changer for the economy of this subcounty which is regarded as poor. The contractor has not even mobilised his equipment to the camp or on-site,” he said.

Kazungu fears that when the rains start, the road will be impassable.

“When it rains women deliver in ambulances on their way to Kilifi because even the ambulances get stuck in the mud. If a woman has complications in such a situation, it is easier to lose her or the baby,” he added

Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) deputy director engineer Timothy Kendagor said the work is due to start anytime now.

He said the contractor is setting up camp in Ganze.

“The contractor had requested for some payment in the form of mobilisation costs. Once settled, actual works shall commence immediately,” Kendagor said.

The project covers Ganze and Kilifi North constituencies and is being undertaken at a cost of Sh2.1 billion.

The road will be a bypass for travellers from Nairobi to the north coast.

Since Independence, the road has been in a pathetic condition, especially during the rainy season.