Nyamira residents protest exclusion from KeRRA Road projects

Residents of Nyamira County have expressed outrage over what they term as the exclusion of their county from the latest road projects announced by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).

The roads agency on Wednesday issued a nationwide tender notice for the tarmacking and upgrading of about 600 rural roads and bridges across the country.

However, residents alleged that none of the listed projects was from any of the four constituencies in Nyamira County. This has triggered protests from local leaders and residents.

“It would be unfair for an entire county to be left out. We hope this is not deliberate and that KeRRA will review its list and correct the anomaly,” said Borabu MP Patrick Osero.

According to Osero, residents are considering legal action against KeRRA and the Ministry of Roads, arguing that the allocation amounts to unfair distribution of public resources.

In an official notice dated October 7, 2025, KeRRA listed dozens of projects in every county, most of which are set to be upgraded to bitumen standards.

The projects fall under the national development plan dubbed “Connecting Devolved Kenya,” which aims to enhance rural connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

Counties leading in the rollout include Kiambu, followed by Murang’a, Homa Bay, and Siaya. Others with double-digit allocations include Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Migori, Kericho, and Mandera.

A Nyamira resident, John Angwenyi Nyangera, has formally petitioned KeRRA, demanding that the county be included in the road allocations. In his petition, filed through lawyer Justus Maeche, Nyangera describes the omission as “unfair discrimination and marginalisation.”

“Our client notes with deep concern that Nyamira County has been completely omitted from both Part A and Part B of the project list,” reads part of the petition.

“All neighbouring counties, including Kisii, Bomet, Kericho, Migori, and Homa Bay, have been allocated several projects, yet Nyamira County has not received even a single one.”

Nyangera argues that the omission violates constitutional principles of equity, inclusiveness, and fairness as set out in Articles 10, 27, 174, 175, and 201 of the Constitution.

“By excluding Nyamira County, KeRRA has acted in a manner that is arbitrary, discriminatory, and contrary to the law and public policy,” he stated.

The petitioner has demanded that KeRRA and the State Department for Roads review and amend the FY 2025/2026 project list within seven days to include equitable allocations for Nyamira County and disclose the criteria used in distributing the projects.

“Unless our client’s concerns are addressed within the stipulated time, we have firm instructions to institute constitutional proceedings under Articles 22, 23, and 47 of the Constitution to seek, among other remedies, an order to quash the impugned list for lack of fairness and legality,” reads Maeche’s letter dated October 8, 2025.

KeRRA had not issued an official response to the claims by press time.