By S, KNA
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi has pledged to continue supporting the Government’s development agenda for residents of Nyeri regardless of stiff opposition from critics.
Wamumbi, who took over the Mathira seat from Rigathi Gachagua after he became President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 poll, says incessant politics are to blame for many of the stalled projects in the area which he is now working hard to revive.
He also defended his close working relationship with President Dr William Ruto whom he has described as a visionary leader for the country.
“I owe no one an apology in regard to my choice to support President Ruto’s government since I know what benefit this will translate for our people. Right now, water, road and electricity projects that had stalled when our leaders started hurling insults at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta are back on course. If working with Ruto to ensure such projects are completed is tantamount to betrayal, so be it,” said Wamumbi on Inooro TV on Tuesday night.
Among projects the lawmaker says had ground to a halt include water works at Wamunyoro and Hiriga at the very backyard of former DP Gachagua’s home.
The lawmaker said despite some of the projects having been started decades ago, none of the successful MPs who served before him bothered to do anything to ensure they were done to completion.
“The Hiriga Water Project had stalled for three decades owing to inaction from previous legislators. It is only after I was elected MP and managed to secure some Sh60 million that work on the project took off again. Right now, residents of the area can smile since they are assured of a steady supply of water both for domestic use and for irrigation purposes. Those who are questioning what I am doing for the people of Mathira should therefore visit these projects and ascertain for themselves whether work is going on or not,” he challenged.
On whether his choice to back Dr Ruto’s government is a blessing to his constituency alone or the entire county, Wamumbi said no part of Nyeri is being left out by the Government as far as development programs are concerned.
He cited the recent directive by Dr Ruto for the construction of eight dams in Kieni at a cost of Sh800 million as a case in point and said the water reservoirs will boost farming in the area known for its perennial crop failure due erratic rains.
He also hinted that alongside other MPs from Nyeri, they are planning to meet the Head of State to seek for additional funding for development projects in the county.
“We are working with like-minded leaders in Nyeri to ensure our county is not left behind as far as development is concerned. Through lobbying we have managed to request the extension of the Sagana-Marua Road through Nyeri town all the way to Kiganjo in order to avert the death of Nyeri town. President Dr Ruto has already given our request a nod and as we speak the road is being redesigned to cater for the planned extension, “he said.
The multibillion 84-kilometre Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road dualling project is jointly financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya at a cost of Sh 40 billion.
Works on the project commenced on July 30 2020 and was expected to be completed by October 18 2023.
This was however rescheduled to December 10 this year after the contractor, China Wu Yi Company, failed to meet another revised deadline of July 10 2024.
So far closer to 90 per cent of the project is complete against an earlier projected progress of 99 per cent in terms of the main carriageway works.
Once complete the dual carriage way is expected to, among others; reduce travel time, improve road safety, reduce vehicle operating costs, boost economic growth and foster regional integration by improving connectivity between Kenya, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
The ambitious road project is part of the Great North Road/Trans Highway from Cape Town in South Africa and starts from Kenol Township in Murang’a through Makutano and Sagana in Kirinyaga County before ending at Marua in Nyeri County.
The highway is set to connect the Northern Corridor from Nairobi to the Lapsset Corridor that is expected to link Kenya to Ethiopia.
