Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is constructing Sh2 billion new roads in Eldoret to ease traffic jam and improve business.
Since Eldoret was elevated to city status, Governor Bii’s administration has partnered with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and World Bank to implement infrastructure projects.
The infrastructure improvement will also include the opening up of drainages to control stormwater that has been a challenge for business owners and residents for many years. Bii said the roads under construction will give Eldoret a facelift and ease movement of goods and people.
“Eldoret is a key economic hub in this region and once we complete the new roads, the town will have a better trade environment,” Bii said.
Some of the project includes the tarmacking of Bandaptai road and paving of Farmers Street. Other ongoing road maintenance projects are in Mwanzo, Shauri, Maili Nne and Kipkaren estates.
Work on most of the roads is more than 70 per cent complete and the work is being fast-tracked ahead of the long rainy season.
As envisioned in his ‘Nguzo Kumi’ development pillar number six on infrastructure, Bii says the improvement of roads in urban and rural areas will also help farmers transport their produce to the market without any hitch.
Bii said his government is committed to improving mobility for residents by ensuring the road network is upgraded.
“The roads improvement plan we have for our city will involve the opening of drainages and tarmacking of more roads. We want to have smooth flow of traffic in Eldoret city by the end of this year,” he said.
The city has been experiencing traffic jams with increased number of motorists and the governor is encouraging long-distance truck drivers to use the Southern Bypass that is now open. Roads, transport and public works executive Joseph Lagat said they are planning to set up an asphalt plant that will run as an independent entity to boost infrastructure development projects in the county.
“The governor’s target of ensuring every financial year we gravel 300 kilometres of inter-ward roads and tarmacking of at least one kilometre in every urban setup will be achieved easily if we realise this dream of developing the asphalt plant,” he said.
Also being expanded are walkways along major roads to reduce accidents involving the pedestrians. The walkways are also used by athletes.
“The roads development programme we are implementing will carter to all our residents including the motorised and non-motorised users,” Lagat said.
He said the roads will also help to upgrade and open up the informal settlement schemes including Lang
