Kenya National Highways Authority KeNHA) has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on the construction of the Sh27 billion Mau Mau road, which links four counties in the Mount Kenya region.
KeNHA Chairman Eng. Wangai Ndirangu has said the contractors awarded tender to tarmac the more than 500 kilometre road in 2020 have already done a lot within the short period.
Speaking at Kiamara area in Murang’a when he led engineers from the Authority to inspect the road, Ndirangu noted that more than 10 kilometres have been tarmacked saying that by December this year more than 50 kilometres of the road will have been tarmacked.
The Mau Mau road which has many feeder roads links counties of Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu and Nyandarua.
The road that borders the Aberdare Forest will upon completion shorten distance between Central and Rift Valley regions.
“We are committed to ensuring the road is completed within the given time schedule. Currently, 13 percent of the road is completed and by March next year, we are targeting to be more than 70 percent complete,” explained Ndirangu.
The Chairman added that the contractors have done much of earth works saying in case of heavy downpour, construction of the road will not be interrupted.
“Mau Mau road in Murang’a County covers 154 kilometres and by March next year despite the ongoing rains, we want to be through with the main road and we will be left finishing the feeder roads that link the interior parts of the county,” he further noted.
Eng. Ndirangu underscored the importance of the road observing that it will be a major boost of agriculture and ecotourism.
“The road which cuts across rich agricultural areas of Mount Kenya region, it will not only honour Mau Mau war heroes, but also greatly boost local farming activities and ecotourism,” he added.
The Chairman also highlighted that the road has offered jobs to more than 200 people from the local community. “This project has helped local young people to get jobs and we expect them to improve their livelihoods from the remuneration they earn,” he added.
On his part, KeNHA Director General, Kung’u Ndung’u, said the Authority is dedicated to ensure all roads under construction attain high standards.
At the same time, he said the dualing 84-Kilometre Kenol-Marua road is at more than 40 percent complete, saying by December this year one side of the road will be complete.
“KeNHA is also doing the dual carriage from Kenol in Murang’a to Marua in Nyeri and we can report the progress as well. The contractors are ahead of schedule and by December this year one side of the road will be complete,” he reiterated.
Ndung’u further said they are currently doing maintenance works of more than 1, 000 kilometres of roads within Mount Kenya region saying good roads will spur local economic activities.
By Bernard Munyao
