President William Ruto on Thursday launched the construction of key roads in western region aimed at unlocking agricultural potential and boosting connectivity.
The President launched the upgrade of 22-kilometre Malava-Samitsi-Navakholo that will cost Sh1.63 billion as well as the tarmacking of the 34-kilometre Turbo-Naitiri-Sikhendu flagship project connecting four counties that is estimated to cost Sh3.6 billion.
President Ruto said the Turbo-Naitiri-Sikhendu road is a strategic road linking four high-potential counties of Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma and TransNzoia counties, noting that this will help facilitate market access and boost local economies.
The Head of State said upon completion, the road is expected to benefit farmers and traders by reducing transport costs and time while expanding economic opportunities.
Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) is implementing construction of the Malava-Samitsi-Navakholo road which will ease transport in the sugar belt zone and improve access to schools and markets and spur economic growth in line with the Bottom Up Economic and Transformation Agenda (BETA).
During the tour, the President also inspected the ongoing construction of Pan Paper Economic Stimulus Programme Market, a key investment aimed at revalidating entrepreneurship, generating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth in the region.
The President also commissioned the tarmacking of the Kakamega Airstrip-Shinyalu-Chepsonoi road that is also set to unlock economic opportunities and improve access.
During the tour, the President who is accompanied by several leaders also opened the Malava Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
In attendance were Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Masika Wetangula, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and other senior government officials.
By George Kaiga
