Ruto: Road projects to boost country's economy, trade

President William Ruto during commissioning of the tarmacking of Maili Kumi - Kariamu and Mairo Inya - Salama roads in Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County.

President William Ruto has defended the government's decision to invest more funds in the upgrading of roads, saying it will boost the country's economy and trade.

Speaking when he launched the Kiambiriria-Kuresoi-Chepsir Road in Nakuru on Saturday, January 13, Ruto said the government is on course to turning the country into one of the top investment destination.

He said no part of the country will be left behind in the overhaul of infrastructure.

"The means to growing the economy and creating jobs is through the modernisation of our infrastructure," he said.

Ruto said the 40-kilometre road, which cuts across Kuresoi North Constituency, will facilitate access to resources, opportunities and services.

"This is the time to get it right; it is our chance to transform Kenya through the Plan," he said.

President Ruto has been on a road inspection tour for the last one week, launching and inspecting various road projects in four different parts of the country including Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties.

Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who accompanied Ruto during the launch of the projects said the road projects are a sign that the government is committed to improving the country's connectivity and prosperity.

"With better roads we can make Kenya more equal and prosperous," he said.

On Wednesday, the President launched the upgrading to bitumen standard of Ngobit-Withare-Limuria-Ngobit Girls and Kihara Primary School roads in Laikipia County.

In Nyandarua, Ruto launched the tarmacking of the 44-kilometre Boiman - Kwa Mumbi roads in Ol Joro Orok.

He praised the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) for its focus on the last mile connectivity, saying it has eased access in the country.

The President said plans are underway more than 400 kilometres of roads in Nyandarua County, which will benefit the farmers who produce milk, vegetables and potatoes.

"This will boost farmers' income and create more employment opportunities," he said.

He listed other ongoing road works in the county, including the 55-kilometre Captain Ndemi - Ndunyu Njeru, 41-kilometre Engineer - Gathera, 45-kilometre Maili Kumi - Shameta, 55-kilometre Shamata - Uruku, 23-kilometre Gilgil - Machinery and the 28-kilometre Tumaini -Kabazi roads.

The 14-kilometre Nyahururu - Boiman, 14-kilometre Maili Nne - Maili Kumi and the 8-kilometre Kirasha - Sulmac roads are also in the process of rehabilitation.

He stated out of 450 kilometres of roads in Nakuru that KeRRA is working on, 300 kilometres have been completed.

The roads include Mauche - Pombo - Silibwet, Miti Mingi - Bagaria Store Maili, Subukia - Lower Solai - Maili Kumi, Moi South-North Lake, Molo - Oleguruone and Lanet - Elementaita roads.

He said the roads under construction in the county are the 40-kilometre Njoro- Beeston- Nessuit/Beeston- Elburgon/ Mauche - Sururu, 23-kilometre Elementaita - Miti Mingi - Mau Narok, 40-kilometre Kiambiriria - Kuresoi - Chepsir, 14-kilometre Kiti (Jcn B8) - Mawanga - Murunyu - Bavuni - Githioro and 20-kilometre Mercy Njeri - Mang'u - Rongai roads.