A recently launched 33km road in Machakos County, touted as the fastest built highway in Africa, is showing signs of deterioration just one week after its launch. According to observers, the yellow lines dividing the two lanes have faded, and the road appears worn out despite minimal usage.
The road was constructed within a period of three months at a cost of Kshs. 650 million, significantly lower than the initial estimate of Kshs. 1.6 billion by the National Government. The project was fully funded by the Machakos County Government and supervised by qualified engineers, with local contractors registered with the National Government carrying out the construction.
Key Features of the Road ¶
- The road spans 33 kilometers, connecting Garissa Road to Machakos Kitui Road.
- It features street lights, road signage, and a rest area with a toilet and convenience store.
- The road is equipped with CCTV cameras covering its entire length.
- The surrounding towns of Kithimani and Makutano Ma Mwala have been tarmacked and lit.
The road's condition has raised concerns about the 'hurry to develop' approach, prioritizing speed over quality and planning. Governor Alfred Mutua had visited the construction site multiple times, emphasizing his development ideology of Maendeleo Chap Chap, aimed at providing speedy, quality, and efficient services for citizens.
