Infrastructure
Kiambu County Government has devised a new strategy for opening up rural and feeder access roads, which has reduced the cost of construction and enhanced efficiency.
The administration has assembled specialised road construction units that comprise dozens of county-owned graders, roller compactors, trucks, water bowsers, and excavators. These have been instrumental in opening up new roads and undertaking routine maintenance on feeder roads at significantly reduced costs.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi announced that Rural Access Roads Rehabilitation Programme Road construction units aims to enhance the region’s infrastructure while optimising resource allocation. “The use of county-owned equipment has resulted in substantial cost savings, enabling more extensive and frequent road maintenance and construction efforts,” he said.
He explained that three (3) km road project that was costing Sh 6 million is now costing Sh400, 000. “Previously, the works would be allocated to contractors and the excess funds would be shared among some county officials, leaders, and brokers. That’s why there is an outcry from the disgruntled cartels and their minders who thought I would allow the pattern to continue,” he quipped
Wamatangi noted that since he took office in August 2022, the Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utilities has opened up and rehabilitated over 700 rural access roads in 40 out of the 60 wards at a rate of four wards per week
“So far, we have graded over 700 rural access roads in various wards, and excavation of murram in public quarries has kicked off in public quarries in Juja, Ruiru, Kabete, Ngoliba and Thika and Limuru sub-counties“, he added.
He added, “We are also sourcing for other sites in Githunguri, Lari, and Kikuyu. I intend to make all the areas accessible by the next of the year before moving to the next phase of tarmacking. I have an elaborate plan to source funding for that,” he added.
The Governor noted that corruption was a major concern in the roads department, for instance the government may have paid over Sh900 million for road rehabilitation and maintenance works during the previous regime, while a senior officer admitted that the genuine contracts only totaled Sh175 million for all the works.
“That could have been a Sh800 million loss in one year by a single department. But what we have adopted has eliminated brokers and other dealers because all we have to do is deploy our equipment operated by our staff. The extra cost we are incurring is for just fueling and the necessary allowances,” he added.
County Executive Committee Member in the Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and uutilities Mburu Kange said the County is working on assembling road construction units in each of the 12 sub-counties that will include monitoring and evaluating the workmanship for maximum output.
“With such an arrangement, we will have work continue in all the wards throughout the year. It will enhance service delivery,” Kange said. Under the Governors’ leadership, the devolved government remains committed to improving transportation infrastructure, ensuring better connectivity and accessibility for residents and businesses.