Kagio residents in Ndia constituency, Kirinyaga County have a reason to smile after construction of their long-awaited feeder roads project officially kicked off.
The launch was conducted by the area Member of Parliament George Kariuki, following a commitment made by President William Ruto during his recent development tour of the Mt. Kenya region.
During his visit, the president pledged Sh100 million towards upgrading Kagio town’s feeder roads.
The roads will be tarmacked to ease transport, improve sanitation, and give the bustling town a modern facelift.
This development is expected to address long-standing challenges faced by both residents and traders, considering that Kagio hosts the largest market in Kirinyaga County, attracting thousands of farmers, traders, and customers daily.
The project will also help reduce dust during the dry season and muddy conditions during the rainy season, thus promoting business opportunities.
Local business people have welcomed the move, noting that it will boost trade, attract more investments, and improve the overall economic status of Kagio town.
The Ndia MP, who also serves as the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, assured residents that the works will be supervised by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) to ensure high-quality standards are maintained.
Kariuki emphasized that the government is determined to complete all road projects within the stipulated time frames to avoid further delays.
In addition, the MP inspected the ongoing construction of the Kiangwaci–Ndia TVET–Thiguku road, a key section that had remained incomplete since it was launched by President Ruto in 2023.
He noted that most contractors who had suspended work due to pending payments are now back on site after signing a return-to-work agreement.
This follows the government’s clearance of billions in pending bills through funds secured from the Fuel Levy, which has unlocked stalled infrastructure projects nationwide.
“As a committee, we will be moving around the country to inspect ongoing construction works and ensure that taxpayers’ money is utilized effectively. We are committed to delivering value for money and ensuring Kenyans enjoy the fruits of their taxes,” Kariuki said.
He further addressed concerns raised by county governors who are seeking a share of the Fuel Levy for road maintenance within their jurisdictions.
While acknowledging their frustrations, the legislator insisted that road infrastructure projects are best supervised when handled by specialized government agencies such as KeRRA and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), which have the technical capacity to deliver.
The MP also urged fellow leaders to remain focused on service delivery rather than political wrangles, reminding them that Kenyans expect tangible development that can be seen and felt in their daily lives.
Kagio Residents led by Tabby kinyua Mungera, could not hide their excitement, noting that poor road network has been a nightmare for them over the years, particularly during the rainy seasons, when mud and stagnant waters cut off access to shops, schools and residential areas.
Traders said that customers often avoid the town during such times, resulting in heavy losses for businesses.
Other members of the business fraternity added that the roads will not only improve trading, but also enhance security, as better infrastructure and lighting will reduce crime, especially for traders who operate late into the night.
The mega Kagio road project is among the Kenya Kawanza government’s broader agenda of investing in rural and urban infrastructure to spur economic growth, improve connectivity and uplift livelihoods countrywide.
For Kagio town, this marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that promises improved businesses, better living conditions and renewed hope for thousands of residents.
By David Wandeto
