Major roads in Nyanza to get Sh12b facelift

By Mangoa Mosota

After years of neglect, major roads in Nyanza Province will now benefit from a Sh12 billion upgrading.

The poor state of roads has been blamed for the slow economic growth in the province.

Some of the roads earmarked for tarmacking include the 38 Km Kendu bay/Homabay and Homabay-Mbita.

Work on the Homabay-Kendu bay road is scheduled to start by mid this year.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga early this week acknowledged that poor roads in the province was a setback for the region’s development.

Raila promised that the projects would not be abandoned as before.

Speaking in Homa Bay, Raila said: "This time, we are determined to make these roads. They have been a major hindrance to development."

Nyanza Provincial Roads Engineer Muita Ngatia said contractors were waiting for a go ahead to start the Homa Bay-Kendu Bay project.

"The road will cost Sh3.3 billion with about Sh100 million being used per Km," Ngatia told Move It.

Ministry of Roads Deputy Public Relations Officer Cheruyoit Korir confirmed that funds have been allocated for the projects.

"The contractors will sign order of commencement documents after senior ministry officials have deliberated on it," said Korir.Ngatia said contractors get to the site one month after being given order papers.Korir said procurement for the 80 Km Homa bay-Mbita road was underway.

fishermen affected

Among roads that are ongoing in the province include the 45 km Sotik-Keroka at cost of Sh1.2 billion and the Keroka-Nyangusu costing Sh1.7 billion. Ngatia said the two roads are being financed by the Government.

There have been complaints from fishermen on the poor state of roads along Lake Victoria.The situation has cost the fishing community huge losses as their produce gets late to the market.