Garissa town access roads upgrade project launched

The upgrade of the Garissa town access roads to tarmac was recently launched by the Garissa Governor, Nathif Jama. The project to improve the Garissa town access roads includes the 400m Equity Roundabout-Prison-Qorahey Market Road as well as the 400 m Sankuri Junction-KMTC-Prison-Qorahey Market Road.

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Jama said that his administration was dedicated to upgrading all road networks inside the municipality and its surroundings. Additionally, integrated solar lights, drainage, and sidewalks will be installed as part of the upgrade project. As a result, traders will be able to open for longer hours, and pedestrians and motorists can move around freely without worrying about being mugged.

The upgrade of Garissa town access roads funding

The World Bank‘s Kenya Urban Support Programme is funding the Garissa town access roads upgrade project.

The governor claimed that maintaining and improving the current road network would benefit the existing community. This he said would be achieved by easing access to social, educational, market, and health services. Additionally, he claimed that road users across the county will profit from the road’s upgrade and maintenance. Travel durations and operating expenses will reportedly be reduced. 

Jama also expressed his gratitude to the World Bank team. He explained that this was for offering technical support for the county’s road and other public utility construction. According to him, the move will consequently open up Garissa county’s road network.

The contractors were encouraged by the governor to observe the guidelines and finish the work within the agreed six months. Furthermore, Jama said that the county would rename a number of major streets in Garissa. This is in a bid to adopt names that would make the people proud.

Jama to invest hugely in transport infrastructure development 

During his swearing-in ceremony, the governor made a pledge to rehabilitate and maintain culverts, drifts, and county roads that had been neglected.

Also, he promised to work with the national government to quicken the development of the A3 Garissa-Liboi road and to support the farmers near the River Tana by opening abandoned farmland access roads.

The governor also pledged to collaborate with the national government to convert the Garissa-Kismayu road to a dual carriage.