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| A tractor landscaping a road in Meru |
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is rehabilitating access roads in Meru town’s underserved areas of Majengo, Gitmbine, and Mjini. It has concluded the recruitment of 375 young people who will be engaged in the third-year phase of the project.
With funding from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), through the World Bank, Community Roads Empowerment (CORE-Kenya) set foot in the area with a view to rehabilitating 26 kilometres of access roads connecting the 23 kilometres of existing Eastern and Western bypasses through the Do Nou technology.
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Do Nou technology means using gunny bags with materials to improve sections of roads that are in dire need of repair or have been rendered impassable.
After the recruitment, the beneficiaries of the programme are expected to receive hands-on experience in the rehabilitation of roads for at least 40 days, after which they will be required to form Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), through which they can apply for contracts from the Meru County Government and utilise the acquired skills in the rehabilitation of other roads.
CORE Coordinator Mr. Amos Biwott said the project dubbed ‘Improved Livelihood Opportunities and Accessibility for Underserved Urban Communities in Meru’ came to Meru in 2022 with the aim of rehabilitating a total of 26 kilometres of access roads.
“So far, we have been able to rehabilitate 19.38 kilometres with 10.83 kilometres and 8.55 kilometres in the first and second years, respectively. We also registered a total of 35 SMEs during the same period,” said Mr. Biwott, adding that the remaining kilometres will be covered during the current third year.
Project Engineer Mr. George Kaluma said that during the recruitment exercise, they were looking for both skilled and unskilled workers, with the latter being the majority.
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For skilled workers, he said, there were 75 positions expected to be filled by masons, plumbers, carpenters, or first aiders with the necessary documentation to prove their qualifications.
Engineer Kaluma added that there were also 300 slots for unskilled workers who were only required to present their national identification card to participate in the selection process.
“This is a chance for those living near the planned roads to get involved and contribute to the project’s success. By joining our team, they will gain valuable work experience while helping to develop their community,” said Engineer Kaluma.
Imenti North Deputy County Commissioner Ms. Odilliah Ndeti lauded CORE for the initiative, which she said will also ensure that the residents easily transport their produce to the market as well as access other vital facilities.
He called on the County Government of Meru to utilise the trainees who graduated in the previous years to rehabilitate other access roads in other parts of the county.
Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Public Works County Executive Member Monicha Kathono, who was engaged in the recruitment process, congratulated CORE for what she termed as embracing public participation in the recruitment of the beneficiaries.
She said the entire process was fair and just to all the participants, adding that those who got the opportunity were the most deserving.
By Dickson Mwiti
