This archive report was first published on 5 December 2019.
Published on December 5, 2019, the European Union has pledged to support the development of rural roads and coffee farmers in Meru County, Kenya.
EU Envoy to Kenya Simon Mordue announced that the EU will fund the construction of 120 kilometres of rural roads in Meru County, which will improve connectivity and access to markets for local farmers.
Speaking during a tour of EU-funded projects in Meru, Mordue also highlighted the EU's plan to help dairy farmers build their capacities and improve their productivity.
During the tour, Mordue commissioned the 24-kilometer Ndurumo-Giaki-Miomponi road, which was built at a cost of Sh500 million.
"I understand that before this road was built it used to take motorists four hours to cover the distance during rainy seasons, which is now taking only 25 minutes. This is helping residents reach markets faster," Mordue said.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi welcomed the EU's support, stating that the roads will link up Meru with neighbouring counties and provide opportunities for farmers to exploit.
Mordue also emphasized the importance of maintaining weight limits for trucks to prevent the road from wearing out quickly.
He also announced that the EU will assist coffee farmers in Meru to access the European market, which will help them earn better prices for their produce.
