Residents of Muhuru Bay in Nyatike South Sub-County have raised concerns over the stalled construction of the Muhuru-Masara Road, saying its poor condition continues to hamper economic activities and access to essential services.
The residents, led by Kennedy Nyambok, said the 31-kilometer road project has remained incomplete despite repeated promises by successive local leaders that the matter would be addressed.
Nyambok said the poor state of the road has affected fishermen and traders, who face difficulties transporting goods and accessing markets in Masara, Namba, and Migori towns.
The road links Muhuru Bay, a major fishing hub supplying a significant portion of fish consumed in Migori County, with Masara, a gold mining centre. It also connects the agricultural activities of Muhuru Bay to other parts of the county.
Residents said the dilapidated road has also made it difficult to access healthcare services in time, particularly during emergencies.
The government, through the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is also undertaking the Muhuru Bay Pier Development and Rehabilitation project, a multimillion-shilling facility expected to support activities along Lake Victoria.
Millicent Auma, a resident of Muhuru Bay, said the pier project could help unlock the region’s blue economy potential if supported by a reliable road network.
Auma urged local elected leaders, led by Nyatike Member of Parliament Tom Odege, to push for the completion of the road and ensure residents benefit from opportunities arising from the pier project.
“We are calling upon our Member of Parliament to use his influential position as our leader to lobby the National Government to complete the Masara-Muhuru Road project to benefit the electorate,” said Auma.
The residents also called on President William Ruto to intervene and provide an update on the status of the road, which they said had remained a major challenge for the community.
The B1 road, managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), was earmarked for upgrading to bitumen standards and launched by President Ruto in May 2025 during his development tour of Migori County.
However, the project had stalled in a legal and procurement cycle as of June 2026, according to the residents.
By Lydia Adhiambo and Makokha Khaoya
