This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
Residents of Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County are celebrating the repair of the 10-kilometre Ndhiwa-Riat Road, which was completed by Sukari Industries Limited at a cost of Sh12 million.
The road, which connects the only cane factory in the county to Ndhiwa town, was in a poor state, causing delays in cane delivery and respiratory diseases among locals.
Speaking to The Standard on Tuesday, Sukari Industries general manager David Okoth said the road's completion has increased production turnover time and made the factory easily accessible.
Okoth added that the company hired over 50 locals to repair the road, creating employment opportunities and upholding the factory's policy of hiring 80% of its workers locally.
Locals have hailed the move, saying it has reduced the number of accidents and respiratory diseases caused by dust.
According to Ndiwa boda boda chairman Dan Yambo, locals and traders suffered respiratory complications for over 10 years due to the poor state of the road.
Yambo said expectant mothers were forced to give birth before reaching hospital, leading to complications, and that the repair job has brought relief to the community.
The road was first expanded from six to eight metres wide, raised, and installed with proper drainage, and repair work chief engineer Boaz Amoke said it will last for at least two years before any maintenance work can be done.
Other feeder roads repaired by Sukari factory include the Amoyo - Ligotho road, Amoyo- Ongito Road, Ongito-Ayego Road, Oria market - Nyamasare Road, Oria- Pala Road, Awendo- Nyaundo Road, Alili- Rapdhi, and Rapedhi-Maliwa road.
Okoth urged the National and county governments to upgrade the roads to tarmac, saying it will reduce transport costs and benefit farmers and locals.
