Eldas to get first tarmac road in Sh600 million Kura project

Residents of Eldas constituency in Wajir County will soon enjoy better amenities including its first-ever tarmacked road.

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority has announced infrastructural plans that will see the construction of roads.

The project will cost Sh600 million.

It includes the construction of an eight-kilometer road network that will comprise five roads. The roads are Anole, Masalale, Della, the access road to Eldas Subcounty Hospital and the one to Eldas Secondary School.

Kura director-general Silas Kinoti said the works will start in December with procurement ongoing.

“The roads which traverse commercial and residential areas within Wajir will be upgraded to bitumen standards. This development marks the first paved roads ever done within Eldas constituency," Kinoti said.

He added, “Kura is committed to opening up urban centres as this is a major contributor towards sustainable urban development."

Kinoti was speaking in Eldas on Friday where he was accompanied by Infrastructure Principal Secretary Paul Maringa, Kura’s  director for road assets and corridor management Abdulrashid Mohamed and Eldas MP Aden Keynan.

Maringa said the infrastructural boost will reduce the cost of doing business once the roads are complete.

It will be easier to access social amenities such as hospitals and schools, he said.

Eldas constituency and the larger Wajir county are set to benefit from about Sh1.8 billion that has been set aside for the construction of roads in Eldas, Bute and Habaswein towns.

Opening up of Wajir county is part of Kura’s strategic plan towards having sustainable urban development that improves people’s livelihoods.

The expansion of the road network in Wajir is in line with Kenya’s efforts towards the realisation of Vision 2030 and the attainment of the Big Four agenda.

Once the projects are complete, Wajir county will be opened up for greater business opportunities with residents able to move from one point to the other with ease.

Wajir county has also benefitted from several other projects implemented by Kura.

Currently, the authority is constructing 10-kilometres of roads in Tarbaj town. The works are 12 per cent complete.

The authority recently completed the eight-kilometre Wajir Bypass.

Kura has also procured for works that will see Bute and Habaswein towns get approximately 17 kilometres of road under the current financial year.

“Wajir county under the annual periodic maintenance and works programme implemented by Kura has greatly benefitted. We will ensure the existing roads are maintained and remain in good condition,” Kinoti said.

Edited by P.O