The World Bank project to upgrade Kapsabet town will be completed within a month, benefitting more than 200,000 residents, plus visitors.
Life in the town is expected to be transformed, bringing more state money and investments. Works on most major components of the Sh177 million project are in the final stages.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang said they will roll out the projects for public use in August after they are handed over to the county.
The urban remake includes a Sh12 million sewer line, a Sh39 million centre for Jua Kali artisans in town and a five-kilometre pedestrian walkway along the Eldoret-Kisumu road.
Jua Kali sheds are also being constructed in Namgoi, Chebarbar, Chepterit and Barato areas.
Sh33 million street lights and high-mast lights are being installed in the Kwa Wanja and Citam areas, near Nandi Primary School and elsewhere.
“We have had serious insecurity problems but with the street lighting we will enjoy better security and can even do business up to late hours,” small- scale trader Jane Chemeli said. She lives along the Citam route.
At the Kapsabet matatu stage, a toilet block and sheds for travellers have been constructed for Sh9 million.
The county plans to privatise public toilets by giving the project to an organised group of residents to run it at a fee. The aim is to empower residents and sustain the project.
High-mast security lights will be erected at Kapsabet market, Baraton area, Segut, Cheptiret, Chebarbar and near the Jua Kali centre.
The projects cover all the four wards in Kapsabet town including Kapsabet, Kosirai, Kilibwoni and Chemundu wards.
Before implementation, the county carried public participation forums so residents could decide what they wanted and where.
Kapsabet is among several towns to benefit from the World Bank’s urban, economic and infrastructure development projects.
“Implementation was delayed due to rain and other factors but we have given contractors strict guidelines,” Sang said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
