Residents of Kapenguria Town in West Pokot County are appealing to the government to have paved sidewalks along the main road leading to the county head offices.
They lament that despite the road having been tarmacked to standards, there are no provisions for walkways for pedestrians who walk to and from work or seeking services from government offices.
They said there is a need for all roads within the municipality to have sidewalks to avoid inconveniences arising from the increasing number of motorists and motobikes.
“Sometimes a little walk does wonders. It is not a must for everyone to be using bodaboda or vehicles to access the needed services at the county headquarters,” said John Losiwa.
He said he prefers walking to the offices because it is near but sometimes gets it rough because there is no smooth space for the walk.
Losiwa cited the Sakas Road as one of the best examples of roads fit for the municipality since it has in mind the welfare of pedestrians.
He regretted that it was unfortunate for the main road (Makutano-Kapenguria Road) leading to both the county and national government head offices with essential service providers such as the Kapenguria County Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the Kapenguria Police headquarters, does not have footpaths despite the huge number of pedestrians.
“Once we have sidewalks in place, I am very sure you will see many people comfortably walking. Modern towns need to have such because not everybody affords to board a bodaboda or a vehicle,” argued Losiwa.
He added that the lack of walkways disadvantages the visually impaired persons because they struggle getting the right way to their destinations.
Residents also maintained that such an infrastructure would improve drainage along the major road from the Kitale-Lodwar Highway that experiences gully erosion.
“Some people like jogging around but the lack of sidewalks makes it risky because of fear of being knocked down by speeding vehicles and bodaboda,” said Martha Chemutai.
She said there is enough road reserve that can accommodate the sidewalks hence the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) should think about it urgently owing to the surging human population and traffic.
She wants the government to treat the sidewalks as a necessity in the transport sector so as to accommodate all kinds of road users.
Government offices in Kapenguria are situated at a secluded administration section where a majority seeking services troop from almost one direction to the place.
Residents suggested that the walkways should be erected along both sides of the road to help smooth traffic and avoid accidents because in most cases motorists defy the Traffic Law of 20KPH as marked indicated.
They added that the move to have all the major roads within the municipality fitted with walkways will also aid students from the three giant schools of Kapenguria Boys’, Chewoyet National School and Nasokol Girls’ who prefer walking to pick matatus in Makutano when breaking and coming from holidays.
By Richard Muhambe
