Residents of Gikomora village in Maragua, Murang’a county have been reprieved after the national government launched the tarmacking of a road connecting them to Maragua town.
The residents who depend on bananas and farming for economic survival, have for years struggled to transport their produce to the market, incurring huge losses.
They said the bumpy Gikomora-Ngaburi road has also occasioned them back pains as they travel to and from Maragua town from where they sell they produce.
Alice Wambui, a resident, told the Star that the road is impassable during rainy seasons, and that milk ferrying trucks and boda boda operators often experience accidents, leaving them reeling in losses.
“We are happy to see the government start the construction. Once done, the road will make it easy for us to engage in meaningful agribusiness.”
Wambui said they will also stop missing church services on Sundays when it rains, noting that it will improve the quality of their lives and their earnings.
Her sentiments were echoed by Lydia Njeri who said their post harvest losses have been huge as bananas go bad in the farms due to poor transport.
“We’re also happy that our children will go to school without much difficulties,” she added.
MP Mary Waithera said the seven-kilometre long road was left out when Maragua Town-Ichagaki road was being tarmacked due to funds shortages.
“We however agreed with Kenya Rural Roads Authority that the remaining section would be upgraded at a later date. We are excited that this has come to pass,” she said.
The MP said she has been receiving numerous complaints of expectant women and the elderly from Gikomora village struggling to access health services due to the state of the road.
Waithera who was previously affiliated to former deputy President Rigathi Gachagua but decamped when President William Ruto toured the region earlier in the year, discouraged residents and local leaders against engaging in harmful and divisive politics.
She said her mandate as an MP is to better the lives of her constituents and vowed to continue pushing for their interests until the campaigns period draws near.
“I am not afraid of politics. When that time comes, I will get into politics and defend my seat but for now, my focus is what I can do for my people. You can’t access development while fighting the government,” she said.
The contractor Charles Gitonga, confirmed that the project will be completed by December this year, noting that residents will be engaged to offer casual labour.The project, he added, will cost Sh240 million and will see the 30km long Maragua town-Ichagaki-Gikomora-Ngaburi road completed.
“We know residents will benefit directly and indirectly. They will sell foodstuffs to us and earn through direct employment and we will ensure it’s done to the required standards.”
Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina challenged other local MPs to support the government and ensure their constituents get services.
She said it’s the role of an MP to lobby for development projects and that she has been compelled to lobby on behalf of residents from areas where MPs don’t support the government.
MPs Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Chege Njuguna (Kandara) and Joseph Munyori (Kigumo) have distanced themselves from the Kenya Kwanza administration despite being elected on UDA tickets.
She assured residents that Mau Mau roads whose construction has stalled will continue in September this year and that the government will ensure they are completed.
“Hold us accountable if by 2027 we will not have completed these projects,” she said.
The roads started by the Jubilee government stalled in 2022 due to lack of funds and cover Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a and Nyandarua counties, following routes followed by Mau Mau fighters during the fight for independence.
Instant Analysis
The residents who depends on bananas and farming for economic survival have said they have for years struggled to transport their produce to the market, incurring huge losses. The residents have said the bumpy Gikomora-Ngaburi road has also occasioned them back pains as they travel to and from Maragua town from where they sell they produce. The project will cost Sh240 million and will see the 30km-long Maragua town-Ichagaki-Gikomora-Ngaburi road completed.
by ALICE WAITHERA
