This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On July 6, 2020, Lamu West CDF announced plans to spend Ksh 12 million on an 8-kilometre concrete paving block road connecting Matondoni area to Amu Old Town.
The road construction, undertaken by Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRa), is expected to take at least two months to complete and has faced delays due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Currently, boda boda operators charge up to Ksh 500 from Amu Old town to Matondoni area due to lack of a viable road, while a private boat charges up to Ksh 2000.
With the new road, boda boda fares could drop to as low as Ksh 100, making it easier for residents to access the area.
Lamu West Deputy County Commissioner Louis Ronoh hailed the road as a welcome initiative that would improve security in the region and enable quicker response to human and wildlife conflicts, particularly hyena attacks on donkeys and other livestock.
He warned residents to avoid encroaching on road reserves, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted.
KeRRA Roads' officer Leonard Ouma also urged residents to refrain from building on road reserves in the hope of future compensation, stating that there would be no compensation for those found to have encroached on road reserves.
