Residents of Kitare in Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay county, have got a reprieve after the government tarmacked the Kadongo-Karota road.
The road links several villages in the area to Kadongo market, health facilities and schools.
The 32km road has been impassable for years, especially during the rainy seasons.
Moline Oluoch, a resident, said the poor state of the road and bridge have been a thorn in the flesh of residents for many years.
The residents, she said, have suffered and incurred huge losses, especially traders as they took several hours to ferry their goods to the market.
“Some were forced to use long and winding routes to reach their destinations,” she said.
Oluoch, who sells vegetables, welcomed the tarmacking of the road which has eased transport activities in the area.
“We have in the past incurred losses and sustained injuries due to the pathetic condition of the road. At one point, I dislocated my knee after I was involved in an accident," she said.
Oluoch praised former Kabondo Kasipul MP Silvance Osele for lobbying for construction of the road.
Before the tarmacking of the road, residents said they used to carry caskets on their heads from mortuaries whenever they lost loved ones during the rainy season.
Alphayo Omiti said thanked the government for building the road, which has for decades subjected them to suffering.
Omiti said in the past expectant mothers have lost their lives due to delays to reach hospital through the bad road.
“We are now able to access health facilities, markets and schools with ease unlike before. Traders, too, can now transport their goods without any difficulties,” he said.
The construction has also helped reduce costs of tear and wear to motorists.
Omiti commended President William Ruto for initiating development in the region targeted at transforming the livelihoods of the community.
Another resident, Lawrence Abebe, termed the tarmacking as a major stride in development saying they faced numerous challenges on the road in the past.
“I was once involved in an accident on this road and dislocated my hand. My father also suffered a fracture on the leg in an accident,” he said.
Learning activities were in the past affected by the poor state of the road because children and teachers would arrive late.
“We have seen prompt response during distress calls unlike before. This has reduced crime rate in the area,” Abebe said.
On her part, Lilian Adhiambo said the road is no longer muddy, which has since improved business and learning activities in the area.
Osele, a director at Government Delivery Service, said the road has improved the living standards of locals.
He told off politicians taking credit for development projects he initiated with the support from the government.
“After intensive lobbying we got the funds to construct the road and bridges. You should not be cheated. I'm the one who lobbied for the construction of the road,” Osele said.
Osele said the cost of transport has become cheaper because motorists now spend little on maintenance. Traders, he said, also reach markets faster.
“We are very happy today that we have a tarmacked road. It started during my reign as the MP when we initiated opening, grading and murraming of the road network around the villages that were inaccessible,” Osele said.
