Residents of Mwea constituency have a reason to smile following completion of tarmacking of key road networks aimed at transforming transport, agriculture and economic activities in the region.
For decades, Mwea, one of the most populous and expansive constituencies in Kirinyaga County has grappled with poor road infrastructure despite being a major agricultural hub.
Residents have long complained that impassable roads hindered movement, delayed access to markets and increased the cost of doing business.
That long-standing challenge is now being addressed through major national government investments in road infrastructure.
Horticulture farmers from Mwea East and Mwea West, as well as neighboring Mbeere South Sub-counties, are already benefiting from improved connectivity following the tarmacking of strategic roads.
In Mwea East, roads such as the South Ngariama–Ngurubani Road and the PI–Murinduko–Kiumbu–Kiandegwa Road have eased the transportation activities for both people and farm produce while in Mwea West, the Kangichirii–Nguka–Mwea Boys Road is opening up previously inaccessible areas.
The improved road network links productive areas regions known for large-scale production of tomatoes, rice, French beans, flowers and other horticultural produce destined for both local and international markets.
The road projects were implemented under a Sh3 billion national government road contract covering 65 kilometres across Mwea, Ndia and Kirinyaga Central constituencies.
The contract included key link roads such as Mutithi–Kagio/Baricho–Getuya–Kagumo, Kagumo–Kimaina–Gathuthuma–Gatwe, Kimicha–Canal–Ndaba–Kangai, Kandongu–Kangichirii, Kagio–Kathaka–Kiangwaci, and Kandongu–Kangichirii–Karira Mission Hospital–Ngurubani roads.
During his development tour of Kirinyaga County on April 2, 2025, President William Ruto clarified that the PI–Murinduko–Kiumbu–Kiandegwa road is a 55-kilometre project, adding that the government had already secured funds to ensure its completion. The President assured residents that all ongoing road projects in Mwea and other part of the country would be finalized to enhance connectivity and unlock economic opportunities.
Beyond agriculture, residents say the improved roads have transformed transport and local businesses. John Katta, a boda boda rider from Ndorome in Mwea East, said the new roads have significantly reduced operating costs.
“For many years we prayed for a good road. Maintaining motorcycles was expensive due to the rough terrain. Now our costs have gone down, movement is faster, and some riders have upgraded to tuk-tuks, which earn more and are cheaper for residents,” Katta said.
Katta added that the improved accessibility has attracted investors, raised land value and boosted economic activity. He called on area MP Mary Maingi to engage the national government in supporting youth with startup capital to establish businesses along the improved road corridors.
Farmers say poor road conditions had for years been the biggest impediment to agricultural growth, often resulting in post-harvest losses due to delayed access to markets.
“There are instances where lorries coming all the way from Tanzania would get stuck in Kiumbu for weeks while sourcing tomatoes,” said Priscilla Kinyua, a tomato farmer and businesswoman from Nguka. “With the completion of these roads, access to markets is now guaranteed and farmers can finally get value for their produce,” she added.
Priscilla added that the movement of farm produce from Nguka to Ngurubani town, which was previously a major challenge, has now been resolved. She also noted that access to health services has improved, recalling emergencies when ambulances could not reach the area or refer patients to Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital due to poor road conditions.
Residents Ebrahim Karimi and Peter Muriithi welcomed the development but raised safety concerns, calling for the installation of road signs, markings and speed bumps. They warned that cases of reckless driving have been reported, noting that several schools are located along the roads, increasing the risk of accidents if safety measures are not implemented.
They also urged investors to take advantage of the available land to establish factories and agri-processing plants, saying buyers who previously waited for produce in distant markets are now travelling directly to villages to source farm products.
Residents say the infrastructure upgrade marks a turning point for an area they believe had been left behind for years, expressing optimism that Mwea will now experience growth comparable to other developed regions within the constituency.
By David Wandeto
