This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRa) has been contracted to undertake the two-month project, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Once completed, the road is expected to open up access to Matondoni area, where boda boda operators were charging more than Kshs 500 to ferry commuters from Amu Old town due to lack of a viable road, while a private boat charged more than Kshs 2,000 for a one way trip.
A public boat, which was the only affordable means, levied Kshs 200, amid expectation that the fare could drop to as low as Kshs 100 when the road is operational.
Speaking during the launch of the road construction, Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Louis Rono hailed the road as a welcome initiative that will not only open up Matondoni area to the wider Amu area but will also improve security in the area.
“Response to Human wildlife conflicts particularly, hyena attacks on donkeys and livestock will be quicker with the road being built, as KWS will now easily access the area,” he quipped.
Hyena attacks on livestock are common in Matondoni area, with KWS response time to such cases criticised in the past for being too slow due to inaccessibility to the area.
KeRRA roads officer Leonard Ouma urged residents to refrain from building on road reserves in the hope of future compensation, warning that there will be no compensation for those found to have encroached on road reserves and would have their structures demolished.
