Hope as works resume on stalled Sh2bn Taita Taveta road

The construction of Mtomwagodi-Mbale-Wundanyi-Werugha-Mghage-Bura road in Taita Taveta county has resumed after months of stalling.

Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako on Monday said contractor Stecol Corporation has already done a kilometre of the Sh2 billion road.

The 54km road will be a game changer in the county for it will link Wundanyi to Voi-Taveta-Holili highway.

 The construction works involve upgrading of the road to bitumen standard to connect the agricultural-rich Taita subcounty with other parts of the county. It is set to be complete by 2025.

The contractor, Mwashako said, will finalise a 5km stretch in two weeks time before raising a certificate for payment. 

He, however, expressed concerns that the construction company wants to halt work as they await payment of the first 5km.

"I have been engaging them to start off another section as we get the government to pay. It is my hope that they will agree to proceed as we see that they are paid after the certificate reaches KeRRA," he said.

Mwashako said construction of the key road has been facing delays due to financial challenges.

The tarmacking of the road was launched in 2017 by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

But construction stalled, prompting uproar from a section of leaders from the region who accused the government of abandoning key infrastructure projects in the county.

"There has been a myriad of setbacks. The road stalled in 2022 due to lack of funds, but we pushed the government to release funds to ensure continuity of the road," the legislator said.

Mwashako, who is also the chairperson of the Coast Parliamentarian Caucus termed the project a great milestone for the region, noting that it will spur growth.

The second term legislator said the construction will not only open the area but also create jobs for the local community.

He asked the Chinese contractor to prioritise residents in the construction work.

"This is a great milestone for the people of Taita Taveta, particularly Wundanyi, which had only one kilometre of tarmac road built in 1972," Mwashako said.

While attending a thanksgiving service at Mwatunge grounds in Mwatate in July, President William Ruto promised that construction of the road shall be fast-tracked.

The President claimed that money set aside for the project had been diverted to facilitate the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) by the former regime.

“This is one of the projects that failed to start due to interference from the push for BBI. However, we assure you that we shall complete it on time as earlier planned,” Ruto said.

The President also promised to complete other pending projects in the region.

They include operationalisation of the Voi gemstone value addition centre and the Mzima II water project.