Poor roads fuel protests in Baringo

Residents of Chergei area in Rongai Sub County protest over poor road conditions, specifically the 10km road connecting Rafiki Estate with Gicheha on June 24,2024. They extended their protest to Rafiki area, barricading the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine Road with stones for nearly an hour, disrupting traffic flow. The residents accuse MP Paul Chebor of neglecting the road without explanation. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

The state of roads in Baringo County has led to a series of protests by residents who are blaming the national and county governments for laxity and negligence.

The deteriorating infrastructure has significantly impacted daily lives of the people, causing inconveniences and economic losses in most parts of the county.

For the past two weeks, Eldama Ravine residents have twice held protests, blocking the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway to demand accountability from their leaders.

"Today we decided to block Torongo, Eldama Ravine, and Eldoret road, to express our disappointment following the county promise to construct Torongo, Tugumoi, and Soibei road, but nothing has been done," said Dan Korir, one of the protesters.

He accused the county government of promising to construct the road but since then nothing has been done.

Kevin Rono said that Sobei, Tukumoi road connecting to Nakuru-Eldoret Highway has worn-out, becoming unbearable for pedestrians and vehicles to maneuver.

The angry locals criticized the local leaders for turning a blind eye to their grievances.

He lamented that the dilapidated road has posed a threat to frequent users who end up stuck increasing motorist accidents in the area.

In Baringo South, the stalled Mochongoi-Karandi- Marigat road has remained a nightmare for the locals.

With the incomplete road, the locals are now forced to wade through the murky water following the heavy rains making it impassable.

Leshadina Lesuno, a resident of Kiserian stated that farmers have been forced to use alternative means to transport their tomatoes which have since been affected following heavy rains.

"We hope that the government will heed and provide a long-lasting solution, the poor road has contributed to the delay and loss of tomato market for farmers," he added.

He lamented that the place had been neglected even as it remained vulnerable to banditry attacks.

Lesuno says the road has been cut off causing gully erosion.

Zakayo Serem, a driver plying the Marigat Karandi route, alleged that accessing social amenities was a problem for the residents with some ending up losing lives due to poor roads.

Serem complained that the road that connects Baringo, Laikipia, and Nakuru counties was incomplete, accusing the government of failing for the delay.

"Unfortunately, we have seen women giving birth on this road, and patients die before reaching the hospital due to the terrible road, we need serious intervention," he lamented.

Efforts to get comments from Kenya Rural Roads Authority and County Executive Committee Roads were in vain as our calls and texts went unanswered.

The county commissioner Stephen Kutwa said that Karandi, Mochongoi Road was 59 percent complete.

Kutwa alleged that it was an ongoing project, which has been hampered by the continuous rain.