The Nyeri County government in Central Kenya has set aside over US $4.1m in the current 2020/2021 financial year, to upgrade 250km of roads across all the 30 wards. According to the governor, Mutahi Kahiga, the planned road upgrade programme will lead to improvement of Nyeri County’s economy through easing the transportation of goods and movement of people, hence, improving revenue streams for the devolved unit from trade.
He further added that the project will create employment for thousands of Nyeri youth who will be involved in upgrading of the roads. “Good road network make a crucial contribution to the socio-economic development and growth of a region. We want a robust road network which will allow our people to conduct their trading businesses as they should,” said the governor.
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Road upgrade in Nyeri
The upgrade works which will be done by the Department of Transport, Infrastructure, Public Works and Energy will start immediately and will be completed by June this year, which is the end of the current financial year. According Transport Chief Officer Julius Ringera, Kenya Roads Board will upgrade 95.7km to gravel standard around the county.
He also revealed that the department is constructing 12 bridges in the county at a cost of US $340,700 adding that the bridges will help improve the local economy and quality of life by providing a safer and quicker means of transportation.
Kenya roads board
The Kenya Roads Board (KRB) was established through an Act of Parliament, KRB ACT No. 7, in 1999 and was given presidential assent on 6th January 2000 . The Act commenced on 1st July 2000 and the Board of Directors was appointed. The board funds, Oversees and Coordinate Road Maintenance, Rehabilitation and Development through Optimal Utilization of resources for a sustainable Road Network.
