Government to construct access-road to Naivasha for Narok East Residents

Residents of Narok East are now seeing a glimmer of hope after government commits to intervene and construct a road that will link them with Naivasha.

The government is prepared to cede land for road construction that will see the residents expand economic opportunities beyond their locality.

Wildlife Principal Secretary Ms Silvia Museiya, appearing before the national assembly committee on public petitions last Wednesday, said Li that plans to find a route which links them to Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha are at advanced stages.

"We will give the land and let the Ministry of Transport build a road to ensure that the residents have access-road to Naivasha," said Museiya.

PS Museiya was accompanied by Director General Kenya Wildlife Services, Dr Erustus Kanga.

Through a petition to the committee by Narok East legislator Aramat Lemanken, the inhabitants asked the national government to save them from the transport predicament that they have lived with for decades.

According to residents of Inkoirieniro, Olmara, Narasha, Oltepesi and Suswa, they have lived in social and economic despair; only allowed to enter Hell's Gate National Park on Monday and Thursday every week.

The committee chair Dr. Nimrod Mbai affirmed that, together with committee members, they will pursue the matter to the latter and ensure public service vehicles are granted access to the disputed route.

Apart from inaccessibility to potential markets, they also decried missing crucial services including healthcare and education.

"For a long time, the said communities have lacked direct road access to potential markets, health services and other essential services. Residents have been forced to take longer routes," the petition read in part.

They mentioned Kedong Ranch, Gorge park, Hell's Gate and Olserian farm as the barriers to accessing the services to sustain their livelihoods.

In the petition dated March 14, 2023, mothers bear the brunt of pain attributed to lack of roads in the area as some of expectant ones even deliver while seeking to be granted access through the routes.

"In the event of a medical emergency, affected people must wait for long at Olkaria and Narasha Gates to be granted permission to pass, and that on numerous occasions. lives have been lost," they said.