Uasin Gishu county has acquired part of the machinery required to set up an asphalt plant expected to cost Sh700 million.
By establishing the plant, Governor Jonathan Bii is targeting to reduce by 50 per cent the cost of road construction and maintenance in the county.
Such a plant is used to mix aggregates and bitumen to produce asphalt, which is used in road construction, parking lots and other paved surfaces.
The county has purchased and received key components for the establishment of the plant. They include parts forming the main asphalt unit such as a wet scrubber, fuel tank, road construction machinery, trommel machines, asphalt tanks, mineral filler, and a four-bin feeder.
The asphalt plant will process raw materials like stones and bitumen, heating, drying and cleaning them to remove impurities.
These materials will then be mixed in precise proportions to create high-quality asphalt for road construction and surface paving.
Roads executive Abraham Serem said the move signalled a major step in the road construction and maintenance.
“This development marks a major milestone for Governor Bii's administration, as it aims to cut tarmac road construction costs by about 50 per cent, freeing up funds for other development initiatives,” he said.
Governor Bii in his manifesto committed to upgrading and maintaining all county road networks to all-weather standards.
“This plant will be installed in Baharini area and will significantly enhance road construction and maintenance, including gravelling and tarmacking,” Serem said.
Roads chief officer Geoffrey Tanui said the project is expected to stimulate local economic activity by creating jobs in plant operations, construction and maintenance.
Additionally, the plant will ensure a consistent supply of asphalt for local projects, reducing dependency on external sources.
Governor Bii said good roads is one of his main development targets and his vision is to deliver high-quality roads that require minimal maintenance.
The county government also plans to undertake large-scale road projects, ensuring all major roads are properly gravelled and every urban centre has at least one kilometre of tarmacked road.
This initiative aims to improve connectivity and boost economic activities across the region.
To support the plant’s operations, Serem said the county would acquire essential equipment such as rollers, crushers, compressors, drills, excavators and bulldozers.
However, he said existing resources, including trucks and tippers, will be utilised to maximise efficiency in producing asphalt mixtures.
Governor Bii’s administration has helped to improve more than 1,000 kilometres of roads—both in the urban and rural areas. He said the good infrastructure will help to support agriculture and other economic activities.
“Our farmers can easily access markets and transport their produce and farm inputs because of the improved roads,” Bii said.
The World Bank is also helping to tarmac roads in some of the informal settlements in Eldoret City to further boost the roads sector in the region.
