By MANGOA MOSOTA

Kisumu ,Kenya: The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is undertaking rehabilitation of roads in Nyanza Province to the tune of Sh20 billion.

The roads are touted as a pillar to boost the economic potential of the region that is rich in agriculture and tourism.

The KeNHA Nyanza Provincial Regional Assistant Manager Michael Ngala said they were working on the roads.

“We have 1,600 kilometres of road network in the region that we are working on. The roads are to further open up the region for development,” said Mr Ngala, adding that one of the key roads under construction is the Kericho-Nyamasaria road that is 53 per cent complete.

Almost complete

He said KeNHA plans to construct a ring road around Lake Victoria, noting it will enhance fishing and tourism activities in the area. Ngala said feasibility studies for the over than 100 kilometres road are almost complete.

The official said the Nyamasaria-Kisian bypass that covers 25 kilometres is halfway done and is to cost Sh5.8 billion.

The road was commissioned by former President Kibaki, in April last year and the works are being undertaken by Chinese construction firm, Sino Hydro Corporation. The road is to take two and half years to be complete.

Ngala was speaking yesterday when KeNHA engineers and other officials took the media on a tour of the 76 kilometres Kisumu-Kericho road, which costs Sh8.1 billion.

The road’s Resident Engineer John Okumu said it is 53 per cent complete and construction is being undertaken by SBI International.

“The construction is on course and is scheduled to be completed at the end of September, next year,” said Mr Okumu.

Roads budget

He said the road will have 16 kilometres of climbing lanes along Kapsoit and a lorry park that has a capacity to hold 200 trucks at Nyamasaria.

Ngala also said the Kisumu-Kakamega 51 kilometre road rehabilitation has commenced at a cost of Sh4.4 billion and the works would take two years. “It will have a 10 kilometre dual carriage from Kisumu to Kiboswa and another 1 kilometre at Amalembe, just before Kakamega town,” he said.

Nyanza region has six counties, namely; Kisii, Kisumu, Nyamira, Siaya, Homa bay and Migori.

The region is endowed with cash crops such as rice, tea and sugarcane but poor road network is one of the challenges facing its fruitful exploitation.

In June, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich allocated Sh97.9 billion in 2013/14 budget for roads.

The funds, he said, will be used for road expansion, upgrading and rehabilitation throughout the country.