Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hailed the National Infrastructure Fund as a solution to Kenya’s road financing challenges, promising major roads across Mt Kenya East.
Professor Kindiki said the next major dual-carriageway project after the Rironi-Mau Summit Road would run from Makutano through Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua.
“After the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, the next dual carriageway we are planning for will be in this region and I can assure you it will be a major economic boost to people living and doing business around Makutano, Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru and Maua,” said Professor Kindiki.
He spoke on Thursday while inspecting the Sh2.5 billion Kibugua-Mukuuni-Itugururu-Kabururu-Kamaindi-Murugi Road Junction project in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency, Tharaka Nithi.
The road is expected to ease movement and improve farmers’ access to markets.
Kindiki said the Government was prioritising projects with the capacity to open up economic opportunities, improve connectivity and strengthen access to markets. He said completing major transport corridors would make it easier for residents, traders and farmers to move goods and services between counties.
The Deputy President said the National Infrastructure Fund would mobilise large sums for major roads and end the practice of spreading resources over short stretches.
“We have to stop with things of five, six, 15 kilometres, because if we continue at that speed, this country will remain behind for a long time,” he said.
He said the Government wanted Kenya to become a construction site over the next 10 to 15 years and a first-world country within two to three decades.
In Maara Constituency, Kindiki inspected the Marima-Mumbuni-Makutano Road, which he said would extend the completed Makutano-Kathwana road and link it to the Thuci-Nkubu road.
He also praised young people working on the Chuka project, saying infrastructure was creating jobs for skilled workers and artisans.
The Deputy President said the infrastructure programme was also intended to support employment by providing opportunities for contractors, engineers, technicians, artisans and workers, particularly young people in parts of the country.
“I am very happy to see young people actively working. When we see this kind of energy, focus, professionals and artisans, we feel very good, and we see that our country has hope,” he said.
However, the Deputy President turned his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, challenging him to account for his development record while in office.
He said Gachagua should explain to Tharaka Nithi residents which roads, water projects and electricity connections he helped secure before criticising the current administration.
“Before he talks about ‘one term’, ‘Kasongo’ and ‘Soprano’, firstly, he should tell the people of Tharaka Nithi, when he was in power, which road he constructed, which water projects he brought, and which electricity he brought,” he said.
He said he never undermined Gachagua when he was in office, saying his two years as Interior Cabinet Secretary were spent dealing with national security.
“I never insulted the one who had sat on the seat of Deputy President. There is not even one day that I insulted him,” he said.
He revealed that Gachagua had asked him to quit Government during their fallout, but he refused.
“This is our government. We cannot leave because if we leave, other people who never voted for this government would be called in and they would take over our government,” he said.
He challenged Ruto critics to put their development records on the table for comparison with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Let those who are criticising us put their development record on the table when they held positions of influence, then let Kenyans compare their scorecard with ours,” he said.
by Dickson Mwiti
