Residents recount the daily toll of abandoned roadworks, lamenting that transport costs have doubled as vehicles frequently break down, while farmers struggle to deliver produce to markets on time. Others say their communities feel forgotten, as stalled projects have become symbols of government neglect.
The frustrations echo nationwide. Roads that were meant to transform rural accessibility now resemble muddy tracks, forcing schoolchildren and boda boda riders to endure dangerous journeys whenever it rains.
Against this backdrop of discontent, the National Assembly’s Committee on Roads insists that the government has finally found a sustainable solution. Committee chair George Kariuki says the Ministry of Roads has securitised the fuel levy, unlocking upfront financing from banks to clear contractors’ arrears.
According to Kariuki, this measure has already enabled many contractors to return to sites abandoned for years. Budgetary allocations have also been restructured to ensure that payments for new certificates are honoured promptly, preventing future project stalls.
“What the President assured on roads is now a reality. We have a framework to guarantee continuity, and this time, projects will not stall midway,” Kariuki asserted.
“These projects continue to inconvenience residents and businesses. Reviving them is urgent if we want to open up the region and support trade,” Kururia emphasised.
The government’s promise to revive road projects will be tested not by announcements but by results on the ground. As Kenyans continue to navigate potholes and stalled construction sites, the gap between political assurances and lived reality remains stark. Unless reforms in financing, oversight, and accountability are sustained, the dream of an interconnected road network may remain just that, a dream.
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