By:Faith Mukundi
The Government is fast-tracking the completion of road projects covering 1,656 kilometres in Kiambu County at a total cost of Sh152 billion, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.
Kindiki said the projects, which are at different stages of implementation across the county’s 12 constituencies, are aimed at improving connectivity, boosting local economies and opening up rural areas to greater economic activity.
The Deputy President spoke on Tuesday while inspecting ongoing development projects in Kiambaa and Gatundu South constituencies, where he said he would closely monitor the progress of the roads to ensure faster completion.
“I am following up on all the roads under construction in the 12 constituencies in Kiambu. The roads are meant to improve the local economies, especially in the rural areas. We want our farmers to transport their produce to the markets on time to avoid spoilage and losses,” Kindiki said.
He said the road programme includes hundreds of kilometres of Mau Mau Roads passing through several constituencies in Kiambu, with funds already allocated for their implementation.
Kindiki also announced that plans for the proposed Thika-Nairobi Expressway had reached the final design and feasibility study stage.
The Deputy President said the proposed elevated expressway would provide an alternative route for motorists and help ease congestion on the existing Thika Superhighway.
“We are designing and completing the feasibility studies for the Thika–Nairobi Expressway, which will allow motorists who want to use the elevated route to do so without interfering with the existing expressway,” he said.
Kindiki said other major road projects were also in the pipeline, including the planned expansion of the Muthaiga Roundabout-Kiambu Town Road, which is expected to cost billions of shillings.
He urged residents to continue supporting Government development programmes, saying the projects being implemented in Kiambu and other parts of the country were aimed at improving livelihoods and public infrastructure.
“Because of the development benefits we have seen in Kiambu, in Mt. Kenya and the whole country, we are saying we will stay in the government for our people to continue benefiting,” he said.
During his tour, Kindiki inspected the ongoing construction of the Wangui-Mundoro-Gaitete Road in Gatundu South before addressing residents at Mundoro Shopping Centre.
He later inspected construction works at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Kiambaa Campus, where development works are being undertaken at a cost of Sh200 million.
The Government has also allocated an additional Sh290 million for the construction of student hostels at the institution.
In Kiambaa, Kindiki said several roads had either been completed or were at different stages of construction.
They include the Banana-Ndenderu, Banana-Ruaka, Nduota-Gathanga-Kigwaru and Banana-Raini-Karuri High School Junction roads.
The Karura-Gachie-Gacharage Road is nearing completion, while a contractor has been secured for the Kimachia-Northern Power Road.
The contract for the Gatuekira-GD-Njuru-Kigwaru Junction Road has also been awarded, with the contractor already on site.
The Roseline-Total Ruaka-Kituamba-Ndenderu Road is among other projects being implemented in the area.
“We have the money to build and complete these roads. We have prioritized their construction,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President said the road projects were part of a wider development programme being implemented in Kiambu County, including the construction of modern markets, affordable housing projects and student hostels.
He said 29 modern markets were already under construction in the county, with two additional markets expected to commence construction.
Several affordable housing projects and hostels spread across the county’s constituencies were also nearing completion, he said.
“We are building this country step by step, project by project, kilometre by kilometre for the advancement of our nation,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki also addressed the issue of illicit alcohol in the region, saying the Government was intensifying measures to curb the manufacture and sale of alcoholic drinks considered harmful to public health.
He urged residents to support Government efforts to stamp out the illicit alcohol trade, particularly products containing chemicals that could harm young people.
“We cannot allow young people to be sold alcohol that harms their health and affects their reproductive health. The Government will not tolerate those who manufacture alcohol and add chemicals that harm the health of our young people,” he warned.
Kindiki was accompanied by Kiambaa MP John Kawanjiku, Kabete MP Githua Wamacukuru, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, Ruiru MP Simon King’ara and Lari MP Mburu Kahangara.
Others present included Correctional Services Principal Secretary Salome Muhia-Beacco, former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and Kiambu UDA senatorial aspirant Kogi Investor, among other leaders.