Residents of Mugwandi and Thaita in Inoi Ward, Kirinyaga County, are beginning to see the fruits of development as the long-awaited Mugwandi–Gitumbi–Mungetha Road continues to take shape.
The tarmacking of the road, which had stalled for years, is now halfway completed, a move that has been warmly welcomed by locals, who have endured poor road conditions for decades.
During an inspection tour of the ongoing works, Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari said the project represents a major milestone towards improving the lives of residents and spurring economic activity in the area.
“This road is not just about connecting villages, it is about transforming livelihoods. Once completed, it will ease the transportation of tea, coffee, and other farm produce to markets, cut down travel time and attract investors to our constituency,” said Gitari.
He assured residents that the contractor will not leave the site until the road is fully completed, saying close supervision and steady progress will ensure the project meets the required standards.
“We promised to improve our infrastructure, and today you can see that work is ongoing. The road is already halfway done, and I want to assure residents that the contractor will remain on-site until the last stretch is completed,” he added.
The MP also noted that the ongoing construction has created employment opportunities for young people in the area, saying the youth are directly benefiting from government projects through both skilled and casual jobs.
“Any project we start must empower our people. Many young men and women from this area are now working on the road construction, earning a living, and supporting their families. That is what development should do create opportunities, not dependency,” said the MP.
However, Gitari urged motorists and boda boda operators to exercise caution, once the road is fully opened, noting that speed bumps and clear signage will be installed to promote safety.
“This road has come to help us, not to harm us. We will make sure that necessary safety measures are in place to protect lives,” he said.
During the same visit, the MP also commissioned a new administration block at Thaita Secondary School, saying the facility will ease congestion and improve the management of school operations.
“For years, the school’s administration worked from small, makeshift offices that were not adequate for proper coordination of academic and administrative duties.
A school cannot function effectively without a proper administration block. This new facility gives both the teachers and the principal a dignified space to manage the school efficiently and serve learners better,” said Gitari
The MP equally opened a modern science laboratory at Thaita Comprehensive School for junior secondary students, describing it as a major investment in the future of local learners.
Equipped with modern apparatus, the new lab will allow students to carry out practical experiments and improve their performance in national examinations.
“A good laboratory inspires curiosity, innovation, and excellence. We want our children to dream beyond their villages to become the engineers, doctors, and scientists of tomorrow,” he said.
The MP noted that both the new administration block and the modern science laboratory were funded through the Kirinyaga Central NG-CDF, demonstrating the fund’s continued support for education and infrastructural development in the constituency.
He emphasized that the NG-CDF remains one of the most impactful devolved funds in the country, directly addressing community needs in education, infrastructure, and empowerment. Through the fund, schools across Kirinyaga Central have benefited from new classrooms, laboratories, and administrative facilities ensuring that development reaches even the most remote learning institutions, he added.
At the same time, Gitari further revealed plans to install cabro pavements in the two schools, saying this will create a cleaner, safer, and more attractive environment for learners.
“The cabro works will improve drainage and make our schools more welcoming. When students study in a clean and organized environment, their mindset changes and performance improves,” he added.
Gitari also highlighted the ongoing efforts to expand access to electricity across the constituency.
He said the government, in partnership with the local leadership, is working toward achieving 100 percent power connectivity to every homestead.
“Electricity is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. We are ensuring that every home in Kirinyaga Central, no matter how remote, is connected to the national grid. This will boost small businesses, improve security, and enable our children to study at night,” he said.
The MP said the electrification project has already reached several villages and institutions, adding that once complete, it will help bridge the gap between rural and urban development.
“When every household has access to power, we open the door to innovation, enterprise, and equal opportunities,” he added.
Gitari credited the ongoing developments to his strong working relationship with the national government under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He said such mutual cooperation ensures that national projects reach the grassroots, transforming lives across constituencies.
“We are working hand in hand with the government because we share the same goal to improve the lives of Kenyans. This is not the time for politics; it’s the time for service. Development does not have color or party lines,” he said.
The MP emphasized that his focus remains on delivering the promises he made to the people of Kirinyaga Central, noting that politics should not overshadow development.
“I cannot keep campaigning, when there are unfinished projects. My priority is to serv people first and that’s what true leadership means,” he said.
Gitari also revealed that the recarpeting of other dilapidated roads across Kirinyaga Central was ongoing, adding that his vision is to ensure every village is connected through an improved road network.
Local residents expressed their appreciation for the progress made so far. Erick Mutungi, a farmer from Mugwandi, said the road construction has already made transport easier, even before completion.
“We had waited for this road for so long. Even in its current state, we can already see the difference. Vehicles can now reach places that were once impassable during the rains,” said Mutungi.
He added that the road will be specifically beneficial to tea farmers and traders, once it is fully tarmacked.
“This area produces a lot of tea, and now transporting the commodity to factories will be much easier. We thank our MP for following through with his promise,” he said.
Other residents noted that the ongoing construction has boosted small businesses along the road corridor, including food vendors and hardware suppliers, giving the local economy a new lease of life.
“When development comes, everyone benefits in one way or another. We are proud that our constituency is moving forward,” said another resident.
Gitari reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all sectors in Kirinyaga Central including infrastructure, education, electricity, and agriculture continue to receive attention and resources.
“Under my leadership, we are not just planning development; we are implementing it. Every school we improve, every road we build, every light we switch on, and every family we uplift brings us closer to a better, stronger, and more connected Kirinyaga Central,” he said.
“Our journey is far from over. We will continue working closely with the national government, until every corner of Kirinyaga Central feels the touch of progress,” said Gitari.
By David Wandeto
