Relief as ‘road to independence’ gets tarmack

A grader at work on Kangari-Kinyona-Njabini road, which is finally being tarmacked after decades of promises. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The tarmacking of Kangari-Kinyona-Njabini road has started, much to the relief of locals.

The 130-kilometre stretch connects a relatively popular village where the descendants of the late colonial chief Karanja wa Njiiri live.

This is the road the late President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta used to access Kinyona village, where he began negotiations on how he would join Legislative House (Legco).

Reportedly, it is from the negotiations that the late Kigumo MP, Kariuki wa Njiiri stepped down in favour of the late Kenyatta.

The road project will cut through the end of Aberdare Forest at Njabini market in Nyandarua County and further connect the area to Naivasha Dry Port in Nakuru County.

Mary Wanjau, an ageing resident of Mununga market in Kigumo, said the construction of the road was a dream come true after decades of promises by politicians.

The road, she added, will assist in the transportation of farm produce and connect the counties of Nyandarua and Murang’a, which have a rich history that dates back to introduction of Christianity in Kenya.

“The government has finally rewarded Kinyona people, as the late Mzee Kenyatta used to frequent the village using the road to meet the family of the late chief Karanja,” said Wanjau.

Moses Karani, a trader at Kangari market, said the road will reduce his transportation costs, as he was forced to use the longer Mang’u route to ferry potatoes from Njabini.

Kigumo MP Wangari Mwaniki said the project was among many the government promised to undertake to improve the living standards of Kigumo people.

“From now on I will be following to ensure some construction works are assigned to the local youth to help in creation of employment,” said Mwaniki.

Last month, Transport CS James Macharia ordered contractors working on government projects countrywide to employ people in their areas as part of creating employment.

Macharia said the project will join the Sh30 billion Mau Mau road that will connect the counties of Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and Nyandarua designed to increase connectivity