Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has relaunched the Sh2.2 billion construction of a major road in Taita Taveta county.
The 54-kilometre stretch connects Bura, Mghange, Werugha, Wundanyi, Mbale, Msau and Mtomwadogodi. It will open up the agricultural-rich areas by serving as a major link between Wundanyi and the Voi-Taveta-Holili highway, thus enabling horticulture and dairy farmers to access local and international markets.
Macharia on Monday said the road was among the government’s top priorities in the region.
The tarmacking of the road was launched in 2017 by President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, it stalled, prompting an uproar from local leaders, who accused the government of abandoning key infrastructure projects in the county.
“The President has directed the Chinese contractor to do speedy and high-quality work. We shall give it close supervision to ensure that it is completed on time,” CS Macharia said during the relaunch in Wundanyi on Monday.
Besides creating jobs, the road will boost trade as many farmers and tour operators will tap into the business opportunities.
Taita Taveta is a food basket of the Coast region. However, poor road networks in some areas of Mghange and Werugha have been a hindrance to truck drivers who transport agricultural products to the market.
The county is also a tourist destination. The road will, therefore, be a game-changer. Some of the notable tourist attraction sites in Wundanyi are the Kenyatta Caves and Vuria Hills, arguably the most preferred hiking and camping site in the region.
“The new road will have a huge economic impact on the region. These are the kind of infrastructure projects that we are banking on to grow the country’s economy,” the CS said.
Macharia was accompanied by Transport Principal Secretary Mwangi Mariga, Kerra board chairman Oyuko Mbeche and Kerra director-general Philip Kandie.
Others were legislators Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate), Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Jones Mlolwa (Voi) and Stanley Muthama (Lamu West).
Mwashako lauded the government for finally kickstarting the project after a long wait. He termed it a perfect gift for the county, pointing out that the area had been sidelined for decades.
“The only tarmac that touches Wundanyi by only one kilometre was built in 1972 under the stewardship of then-MP Danson Mwanyumba. Therefore, this is a historic moment for the people of Wundanyi and Taita Taveta county as a whole,” the youthful legislator said.
Mwashako further insisted that the contractor employ residents.
