The County Government of Embu has welcomed the proposed dualling of 145 km Makutano-Embu-Meru Highway, terming it a game-changer for Mt. Kenya East Region.
President William Ruto in his speech during this Year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kitui said his administration has committed to dual at least 1, 000 km of major highways, including Makutano-Embu-Meru, among others.
The President noted that infrastructure development was a critical area of focus for his government to spur economic growth, adding that he is also committed to constructing an additional 10,000 km of new tarmac roads linking farmers, traders, and manufacturers to markets across the nation.
Governor Cecily Mbarire hailed the planned project as a defining moment for the region in terms of reshaping trade, connectivity, and livelihoods across the counties it cuts through, including Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi and Meru.
In a post on her social media accounts, Governor Mbarire noted that the dual carriageway will ease transport, enhance market access for farmers and traders as well as attract investors to the region.
“The project will not only create jobs, but also accelerate value addition in agriculture and manufacturing,” she noted while commending President Ruto for prioritizing infrastructure which she said directly uplifts local economies.
The highway has claimed many lives in some of high-risk stretches, including the notorious Nithi Bridge thus, dualling it is expected to curb carnage by eliminating head-on collisions. “The dualling of the road is expected to address the high accident rates that have been linked to factors such as congestion, speeding, reckless driving and overtaking,” the post stated.
Vehicles transporting miraa and muguka from Meru and Embu Counties, respectively have also been identified as major contributors to accidents along the highway due to reckless driving. The issue has in some instances led to public outrage and protests.
By Samuel Waititu
