The Makueni County Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AnyWay Solid Environmental Solutions Limited to strengthen the county’s road network through data-driven planning and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The agreement will establish a framework for collaboration between the County and the Anyway Solid Environmental Solutions firm will be the use of data and technology, to improve planning, maintenance and upgrading of roads.
Through the partnership, Makueni will establish a County-wide data collection and road asset management system, to help officials and prioritize roads for investment based on safety, accessibility, climate resilience and cost efficiency.
The system will draw on satellite imagery, mapping data and rainfall records, alongside information on agricultural land use, population served, flood and drainage risks, terrain and the proximity of roads to markets, schools and health facilities.
The approach is intended to enable the County to make evidence-based decisions on which roads should be repaired or upgraded first, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate-related disruptions.
The partnership will facilitate technology transfer in innovative climate-resilient infrastructure solutions and provide training and capacity building for County staff involved in implementing the programme.
Another component of the agreement is resource mobilization. AnyWay Solutions will work with the County to identify potential sources of financing and assist in preparing supporting documentation and applications for funding.
The collaboration comes as Makueni seeks to strengthen infrastructure supporting agricultural production and access to essential services.
AnyWay Solutions describes its work as combining engineering with geospatial technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, satellite imagery and digital road asset management.
The Company intends to work with Makueni in a bid to identify vulnerable road sections and prioritizing investments using satellite imagery, geographic information systems and local knowledge.
The signing of the MoU was done, Friday,by Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the Anyway Solid Environmental Solutions Limited, East Africa Regional Manager, Solomon Nigusie at the Israel Embassy Offices in Nairobi.
Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, who witnessed the signing, welcomed the partnership and highlighted the broader cooperation between Israel and Makueni in sectors including health and agriculture.
Behar, who is also Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat in Nairobi, said that the MoU will help the County where to invest with a view to boost development in the area.
“The MoU will enable you to know where to put your money to invest and increase road efficiency and to prepare yourselves for eventualities of climate change,” said Behar during the signing of the MoU at the Israel embassy in Nairobi.
While underscoring the growing focus on climate adaptation and technology, the Ambassador advocated for the transfer of Israeli agricultural technology to Kenya and highlighted the importance of climate-smart solutions.
Mutula expressed appreciation for the existing cooperation with Israel, saying the County was interested in expanding collaboration beyond the health sector to agriculture and other value chains.
He cited opportunities in mango, pepper and honey production, as well as other agricultural enterprises that could benefit from technology, expertise and investment.
“The County’s partnership with AnyWay Solutions is expected to complement those agricultural ambitions by improving the roads linking farms and communities to markets and essential services,” said the Governor.
“The partnership matters, it particularly ensures where to put the budget, resources are scarce, especially the environment we are in as a County,” he added.
The partnership will help ensure year-round access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, particularly for communities whose access is disrupted during rainy seasons.
The agreement does not, on its own, constitute a commitment to specific financing or construction works. Rather, it provides a framework through which the parties can develop and pursue activities, including resource mobilization, agreed under the programme.
The initiative comes amid increasing emphasis on climate-resilient infrastructure as extreme weather events place additional pressure on transport networks and rural economies. Kenya and Israel have also identified climate action, agriculture, renewable energy, health and technology as areas for deeper bilateral cooperation.
By Patrick Nyakundi
