The government has announced revamp measures to enhance security and protect key infrastructure and equipment during the construction of the Sh200 B Rironi-Mau Summit Road, which is expected to be completed by June next year.
The plan includes boosting security personnel along key routes along the expressway to ease traffic flow within the road diversion routes that will be provided.
The road which is a major artery to the Western region has in the recent past become a security risk and has been notorious for claiming tens of lives through fatal accidents.
According to the Cabinet Secretary for the Interior and Coordination of the National Government, Kipchumba Murkomen, the road which will be financed through public-private partnership has already kicked off in earnest.
The CS who was speaking during the development tour in Naivasha on Wednesday said the multi-billion shillings project is one of the transformative developments that will open up the region and ease perennial traffic congestion on the highway.
“The government has enhanced security to ensure seamless construction of the Rironi – Mau Summit Road, ease transport inconveniences and is expected to be completed by June next year,” said Murkomen.
The CS added that security personnel will work around the clock to boost security on alternative routes that will be provided during the construction works as well as during the upcoming World Safari Rally championship next month.
Local youths, women and the business community have already positioned themselves for tens of job opportunities which will be created during the year-long construction period.
Consequently, Naivasha and Mai Mahiu towns are poised for tremendous growth with the highway cutting through the towns with visitors attending conferences, tourists camping around Lake Naivasha promised seamless travel in record time.
Additionally, Murkomen announced the resumption of 20-year-old stalled administrative offices for the Naivasha Sub-County to the tune of sh50 million with the National Treasury okaying the crucial funding.
The CS said his Ministry has partnered with the Ministry of Housing to kickstart the construction of houses for police officers working in the area which will address housing shortages being experienced by officers.
This comes after the government announced the formation of a new special unit to tackle head-on rising crime, increased drug abuse and criminal gangs within the Nairobi metropolitan area.
He said the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit will partner with local businesses with the government deploying modern cameras and Artificial Intelligence to speed up investigations on security gaps.
The special unit has been based on global best practices and will act as prototype to be deployed in all the cities areas in the country as a model of enhancing security.
He termed the recent working relationship signed between Nairobi County and the National Government as the best framework to enhance intergovernmental relations backed by the already established Urban Areas and Cities Act.
The Cabinet Secretary at the same time called on political leaders to notify the security apparatus to enhance security and minimize chaos during political rallies.
In the recent past, the country has witnessed chaos which has mostly affected the opposition as the political temperatures ahead of 2027 General Elections heats up.
In reference to the recent chaos that was witnessed in Kitengela on Sunday during political meeting by a section of ODM members, Murkomen faulted the leaders for not notifying the area security officers for protection.
The CS condemned the use of hired goons to disrupt political meetings adding that investigations have since kicked off to establish the chaos during recent gatherings.
“The government condemns the unfortunate incident that disrupted businesses and led to the death of one person in Kitengela town on Sunday and we call on political leaders to engage security apparatus for their security”, said Murkomen.
By Erastus Gichohi
