The once-promising road network in Kisumu County is now a portrait of neglect and disrepair, a grim testament to years of bureaucratic lethargy and broken promises. As torrential rains pound the region, roads have become rivers of mud. This cripples transport chokes off economic activity, and threatens the livelihoods of residents, yet the agencies tasked with road infrastructure remain conspicuously silent.
At the centre of the unfolding crisis are the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), led by Director-General Silas Kinoti, and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), under the stewardship of Philemon Kandie. Both agencies have come under fire for what Kisumu Senator Professor Tom Ojienda describes as a “complete dereliction of duty.” “Our roads are not just in poor condition, they are impassable. This is not a mere inconvenience; it’s a direct threat to the socio-economic fabric of Kisumu County,” declared Ojienda, whose petition to Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has triggered fresh demands for accountability.
According to Ojienda, the ongoing heavy rains have exposed shoddy maintenance and glaring gaps in infrastructure planning. Farmers can no longer access markets, local businesses are faltering, and entire communities are being cut off due to the crumbling road network. Despite billions of shillings allocated annually to both KURA and KeRRA, the reality on the ground tells a damning tale. Many roads, urban and rural alike, have remained untouched since the 2020/2021 financial year, with residents reporting widespread neglect and abandonment.
Senator Ojienda is now demanding a comprehensive report from the Cabinet Secretary detailing:
All road projects undertaken by KURA and KeRRA since FY 2020/2021.
- Specific roads that have been gravelled, repaired, or maintained.
- Budget allocations and expenditures for planned and ongoing projects.
- A timeline for the completion of ongoing projects, many of which have stagnated under questionable circumstances.
- “The current regime must come clean. What projects have they lined up for Kisumu, and where is the money going?” he posed.
- Ojienda’s questions have now been formally adopted by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, paving the way for full Senate oversight. He insists the mismanagement must be unearthed and those responsible held to account.
The public outcry is growing. Community leaders, including Victor Oloo and Dennis Okeyo, have voiced support for the Senator’s stance, noting that the state of infrastructure is not just a local problem—it’s a national shame.
Elsewhere in neighbouring Migori County, residents of Awendo and Rongo constituencies are also decrying the government’s failure to tarmac the vital Ranen–Dede–Rongo road. “This road connects several schools and communities. Why are we being ignored?” asked George Simba, a local leader.
The neglect cuts across counties, and the blame squarely rests on Kinoti and Kandie, who have been accused of presiding over agencies that have lost touch with the communities they are meant to serve.
While government officials enjoy smooth rides in Nairobi, residents of Kisumu and Migori are left to wade through flooded potholes, with no clear end in sight. The question now is: how much longer will KURA and KeRRA bosses continue sleeping on the job before action is taken?
