State agency lists key road projects for upgrade in Kwale

**Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Director-General Philemon Kandie.**[Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) is undertaking several projects in Kwale County, its Director-General Philemon Kandie has said.

He said once completed, the projects will improve the livelihoods of residents of the region and beyond. Mr Kandie said among these is the Mwachande bridge on river Ramisi along the Milalani-Kikoneni-Mwangulu road (C209).

The bridge which connects Lungalunga and Msambweni constituencies is expected to cost Sh537 million.

Kandie was speaking when he accompanied Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during his tour of the Coast this week. He said the road that includes the bridge traverses an area where fishing, agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities.

"The road will also make it easier to transport farm produce to markets and thereby uplift the livelihoods of farmers. Local residents will also have easier access to administrative services, health centres and learning institutions," said Kandie.

Another planned project is the Funzi Causeway, located in Msambweni constituency, off the A14 motorway in Milalani.

Kandie said the causeway will cost Sh1.1 billion.

The other project, Kandie said, is the upgrading to bitumen standard and performance-based routine maintenance of Kunzi Causeway Road.

He also said the Mwachande bridge will be one of the most critical infrastructure developments in the Coast region, linking thousands of people to markets and amenities like hospitals.

"When completed, it will facilitate faster access to the South Coast and provide a link to the Mwananyamala Industrial Park, which is bound to change the economic fortunes of Kwale County," Kandie said. [Ivy Kariuki]