By S, KNA
The long-awaited upgrading of the Maraba–Kebeneti road in Tindiret Sub-County has officially begun, in what local leaders say will be a turning point for the region’s economic growth and social mobility.
Tinderet Member of Parliament Julius Melly said the new road was a vital link for thousands of residents in Maraba, Kebeneti, and neighboring communities which for decades remained a rough and often impassable route during rainy seasons.
He said the new infrastructure development project set to upgrade the earth road into a full bitumen standard was a major milestone for the future of rural families whose livelihoods depended on reliable channel to transport the farm produce to the market.
Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing works, Melly said the new road will dramatically improve movement for farmers, traders, students and health-care seekers. According to him, the constituency has struggled for years with deteriorated feeder roads that make it difficult for farmers to transport produce to markets in Nandi Hills, Eldoret and beyond.
He noted that once complete, the bitumen surface will reduce travel time, cut vehicle maintenance costs, and enable farmers to deliver perishable goods such as milk and vegetables without incurring losses caused by delays on muddy roads. “This upgrade means our farmers’ hard work will pay off more fairly,” Melly said, paraphrased. “They will reach markets faster, fetch better prices, and no longer be held hostage by weather conditions.”
Education services are also expected to benefit. Melly pointed out that students and teachers often arrive late or miss school entirely due to road conditions, especially after heavy rains. The improved road, he said, will ensure safer, more predictable travel, reducing absenteeism and supporting better academic outcomes in rural schools.
Health access is another area the MP highlighted. He explained that emergency response has been hampered in the past when ambulances or boda-boda riders struggled to navigate slippery sections at night or during storms. He expressed confidence that a tarmacked route will make it easier for patients to reach dispensaries, health centres and referral facilities.
Melly further framed the project as part of a broader push by the national government and key agencies such as the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to open up remote parts of the country. In recent months he has publicly praised the government for paying attention to rural infrastructure and fulfilling promises made during the last election cycle. He said that the Maraba–Kebeneti upgrade, combined with other road projects underway in Timboroa, Meteitei, and Kopere, forms a network that will “unlock Tindiret’s full potential.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to lobbying for additional infrastructure development, arguing that improved roads attract investment, stimulate local businesses, and create job opportunities for young people. “When you build a road, you build an economy,” Melly s. aid in paraphrased remarks. “Investors look for accessibility. Our youth look for opportunities. We must give them an environment where both can thrive.”
Local residents have likewise welcomed the project enthusiastically. Traders say the improved road will reduce transport costs, while boda-boda operators expect safer and more reliable operations. Some residents have described the road upgrade as the most significant public infrastructure improvement the sub-county has seen in years.
Melly urged contractors to work diligently, maintain high engineering standards, and ensure that the project stays on schedule. He also encouraged community members to cooperate with workers and project supervisors to avoid delays and safeguard equipment.
Once completed as envisioned, the Maraba–Kebeneti bitumen upgrade is expected to anchor long-term economic progress in Tindiret, providing a modern artery that connects rural households to markets, services, and opportunities previously out of reach.
