Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced a Ksh.39 billion road construction programme in Meru County.
The government says the projects will improve transport, open up rural areas and help farmers move their produce to markets.
At the same time, farmers will benefit from lower prices of fertiliser and certified maize seed.
Ksh.39B road projects planned for Meru
Speaking in Kanyakine, Imenti South, Prof. Kindiki said several roads that residents had pushed for over the years are now under construction.
One of the projects is the Kionyo-Kanyakine-Muti O’Kiama-Ketha Kanaro-Mitunguu road.
Kindiki said the government had allocated funds for the project. He also expressed confidence that the contractor would complete the work.
“We have sought this road for a very long time. I have seen that it is progressing well, it has started well, it is progressing well and we have a good contractor. This contractor will deliver. This one will deliver,” he said.
The Deputy President said the government would address Meru’s infrastructure needs gradually.
He explained that officials would implement projects based on the resources available.
“We will do all the roads one at a time, step by step. Rome was not built in a day,” Prof. Kindiki said.
Meru Town to get Ksh.3.7B road upgrade
Meanwhile, the government plans to upgrade 17 kilometres of roads in Meru Town.
The project will cost Ksh.3.7 billion. Kindiki said both funding and a contractor are already in place.
In addition, the government is implementing 21 market projects across the county.
These include the Gakoromoni market. The government is also investing in water and sewerage infrastructure.
Government links roads to farmer incomes
Kindiki said better roads would help improve household incomes in Meru.
According to the Deputy President, improved roads will make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to markets.
The projects will also improve access to essential services in rural areas.
Fertiliser price drops to Ksh.2,000
The road announcements come as farmers receive relief on production costs.
A 50kg bag of subsidised fertiliser now costs Ksh.2,000. The price has dropped from Ksh.7,000 in 2022.
Certified maize seed has also become cheaper this season.
The price of one kilogramme has fallen from Ksh.300 to Ksh.150.
A 2kg pack now costs Ksh.300. Meanwhile, 10kg and 25kg packs cost Ksh.1,500 and Ksh.3,750 respectively.
The government says the seed subsidy will cover about 40 million kilogrammes of certified maize seed.
It estimates the programme will involve an investment of about Ksh.6 billion.
Other government projects in Meru
Prof. Kindiki also highlighted other government programmes in the county.
These include electricity connections, teacher recruitment and the hiring of Community Health Promoters.
The government is also building classrooms and laboratories while expanding technical education.
Furthermore, Kindiki pointed to increased access to healthcare through the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Kindiki urges leaders to focus on long-term development
Kindiki urged leaders to prioritise projects that will benefit residents for many years.
He warned against focusing on short-term political gains.
“Development is for generations. This road is not for UDA. This road is not for us who are here. After 100 years, this road will still be serving the people of this area, our children and our grandchildren,” he said.
Finally, the Deputy President said successful development requires cooperation between leaders and citizens.
He credited residents for pushing authorities to address their needs.
“There is no leader who can bring development alone. He is assisted by his seniors, he is assisted by his juniors, he is assisted by the citizens,” he said.
