The County Government of Kirinyaga has stepped up its road rehabilitation programme, improving access to markets and lowering transport costs for farmers.
Over six months, the county has graded more than 150 kilometres of roads and murramed an additional 135 kilometres, with works ongoing in all 20 wards.
The upgrades are easing movement to trading centres and improving access to essential services such as healthcare and education, while supporting faster delivery of farm produce and emergency responses.
Governor Anne Waiguru said the programme builds on sustained investment in rural infrastructure.
In eight years, the county has murramed more than 4,300 kilometres of roads and is on course to reach 5,000 kilometres by the end of the current financial year.
She said the works, implemented under the in-house ‘Nyorosha Barabara Mashinani’ initiative and the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) programme, are designed to lower production costs for farmers, increase incomes and improve access to social amenities.
“Good roads reduce transport expenses, improve access to hospitals, enable faster emergency response and ultimately translate into better incomes, increased production, higher savings and improved livelihoods,” Waiguru said.
She added that a reliable road network is key to unlocking economic opportunities and reducing the gap between rural and urban areas, strengthening the county’s agricultural base.
During an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the 2.5-kilometre Gakindu Road in Kariti ward, CEC for Transport, Public Works and Housing Jared Migwi said the programme is being implemented in collaboration with MCAs.
“We are improving road infrastructure across all wards through an in-house programme and working closely with the county assembly to prioritise roads that have the greatest community and economic impact,” Migwi said.
He noted that the department is targeting 300 kilometres of murramed roads and more than 700 kilometres of graded roads by the end of the financial year, crediting the governor’s leadership for mobilising machinery and resources to fast-track delivery.
By the close of the financial year, Migwi said, the county will have achieved more than 5,000 kilometres of murramed roads over the last eight years.
Residents in Murinduko ward are already reporting tangible benefits following the rehabilitation of the 1.2-kilometre Wamugi Road, which links Mahigaini to South Ngariama.
Three-wheeler operator Samson Karani said the upgrade has significantly reduced travel time and operating costs.
He transports luggage between South Ngariama, Kimbimbi and Ngurubani, a task that was previously hampered by potholes and impassable sections.
“Before the road was repaired, I had to go around Ikulungu–Gathigiriri to reach Ngurubani, which made the journey longer and more expensive. Now movement is easier and the distance is shorter. A trip that used to cost me about Sh500 now costs around Sh300, allowing me to charge customers less,” Karani said.
Wamugi chairman John Muchira said the poor state of the road posed safety and health challenges, with frequent motorcycle accidents and difficulty transporting sick residents.
“There were times when vehicles could not pass and patients had to be carried on people’s shoulders to the hospital,” Muchira said.
“Access to maternity services is now safer and cases of women giving birth along the road are a thing of the past.”
Local businesses have also benefited. Elizabeth Mwangi, a restaurant operator in Wamugi, said the improved road has restored customer confidence and boosted foot traffic.
“The road used to be muddy, rugged and dangerous. Customers were afraid of coming here because their vehicles could get stuck or dirty,” she said.
“Now movement is smooth and business has picked up.”
Similar gains are being reported in Mutithi ward following the upgrade of the 2.5-kilometre Kiamathigira Road, which connects Rukanga to Ng’othi.
Farmer Charles Warui said poor drainage and muddy sections had previously made it difficult to transport produce to markets such as Kagio.
“The road used to look like a swamp and was often impassable. Now movement is faster and security has improved,” he said.
Esther Wanjiku, a resident of Rukanga, said the improvements have brought dignity and relief to farmers and families.
“We can now take our produce to the market and the sick to hospital within the shortest time possible,” she said, thanking the county leadership for prioritising rural road upgrades.
The county government said the ongoing works will continue to drive economic activity, improve service delivery and enhance livelihoods across Kirinyaga’s rural wards.
by ALICE WAITHERA
