A section of the asphalt plant being put up in Eldoret by the Uasin Gishu countyUasin Gishu government is in the process of installing an asphalt plant in Eldoret that will help improve road construction and maintenance across the region.
The plant, costing about Sh200 million, is expected to significantly boost efforts to transform and upgrade roads to bitumen standards. It is also expected to improve efficiency in infrastructure development across the county.
Governor Jonathan Bii, accompanied by roads executive Abraham Serem and chief officer Geoffrey Tanui, inspected the ongoing installation of the new asphalt plant to assess progress.
He said in addition to ensuring a steady supply of asphalt, the plant will help the county reduce road construction costs by up to 50 per cent.
“The funds we save from cutting down road expenses as a result of this asphalt plant can then be redirected to other development projects, thereby benefiting the residents of Uasin Gishu,” the governor said.
The project is also expected to stimulate local economic activity by creating employment opportunities in plant operations, construction and maintenance.
Bii said the county will also be able to speed up road improvement works across the region.
He said improved infrastructure will have a positive impact on agriculture, trade and other key sectors of the economy.
According to the governor, the county has improved more than 1,500 kilometres of rural roads. The new plant will support farmers by ensuring smooth transportation of farm inputs and produce.
In his manifesto, Governor Bii, under pillar six on infrastructure development, prioritised investment in road networks aimed at generating significant economic benefits, particularly for rural communities that rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods.
The county has also partnered with the World Bank to construct roads in informal settlements in Eldoret. Tarmacked roads have been completed in Maili Nne West and Shauri estates.
“Our target is to have better roads in urban and rural areas so that farmers and traders can operate more easily, enhancing the growth of our economy,” Bii said.
He said his administration will continue investing in the infrastructure sector to develop new roads and upgrade existing ones.
During the current financial year, the county is spending more than Sh1.4 billion on the roads sector. It has also been implementing a programme to upgrade roads in all 30 wards across the county.
MCAs in the region have praised the initiative, saying it will ensure all wards benefit from improved road infrastructure.
