This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
Published on November 1, 2019, Meru County has become the latest to lease equipment from the national government for the upgrade of 800 kilometers of feeder roads.
Other counties that have entered into similar agreements with the government are Kisii and Nyandarua.
The county government has leased the equipment from the Mechanical Transport Fund (MTF) unit under the Ministry of Transport for the project.
According to the contract agreement, the MTF will provide various machines including bulldozers, graders, excavators, water bowsers, and low bed trailers.
A total of 604 kilometers will be upgraded through dozing, rock breaking, grading, excavation, and compaction, while another 139.5 kilometers will be graveled.
The roads are expected to last for five years with minimal routine maintenance.
Speaking on the project, Governor Kiraitu Murungi said, “We expect the works will begin at the same time in the three regions of Meru County since the equipment will be working in three sets.”
He added that during heavy rains, construction will mainly be concentrated in areas where there is rock breaking.
Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu, who is also the Finance minister, said that by not hiring equipment from private contractors, the MTF partnership would save the county 50 percent in construction costs.
The roads being upgraded mainly serve rural communities by connecting them to schools, markets, and hospitals.
They are currently in a bad state due to the ongoing rains and are also important arteries for accessing agricultural markets and transporting farm inputs.
Quarry owners are also set to benefit from the upgrade since all the graveling material will be sourced from their quarries, subject to approval.
The county government is also undertaking a similar upgrade for urban roads at a cost of Sh400 million, with 12 markets set to be paved with cabro.
