Sustainable infrastructure has remarkably improved the transport and economic sector in urban and rural areas in Uasin Gishu County.
The 2020/2021 budget allocation to the department of Roads, Transport ,Energy and Public Works has seen a tremendous upgrading of over 3, 660 Kilometers of roads in the entire Uasin Gishu County equally distributed in the six Sub-Counties.
Under the headship of the CECM Engineer Gideon Birir, the department has finalized the planning and earmarking process of new projects set to start in the new financial year.
While briefing the county government on roads status, CECM Engineer Birir stated that urban centers including Juakali, Maili Nne, Kuinet, Burnt Forest among others are some of the areas where roads have been improved to bitumen standards to enhance conducive business environment.
“Among other projects which are in various levels of completion as they are scaled to be concluded before the end of the 2021/22 financial year, tarmacking of Sogomo and Kipkorgot market centers which are in progress and soon will be operationalized,” he assured.
He noted that the transport sector is the key aspect Governor Jackson Mandago-led government has prioritized to create an economic enabling environment for private developers, farmers and investors in the county. He said road network and connectivity has facilitated the mobilization of resources to expand employment opportunities and boost agricultural activities.
He added that the county being an agricultural zone, well maintained roads have cut the cost of transporting of farm commodities to the market centers.
Benard Onyari, the director for EPC Kipkaren academy confirmed to have witnessed a significant spike of learners in his institution which he attributed to the ongog face-lifting of estate’s routes in the Kipkaren.
“The roads were in the sorry state and learners came to school late especially when rainy.Initially, we had a population of 220 pupils but since when the roads were upgraded, we have able to receive upto over 320 children,” said Mr Onyari, revealing with the accessible roads, they have admitted children from Muiruti, West Indies among other far ends.
Large scale farmers, Yusuf Keitany and Thomas Korgoren from Moiben SubCounty shared their experiences retrospectively claiming that poor red-dirt roads used to be a great problem before the inception of the devolution in the region.
Mr. Keitany said Governor Mandago claiming to have expanded road networks that have encouraged inter-county trade and enabled the farmers to access the markets for their commodities in the neighboring counties.
“Devolution is a good thing and must be protected, the 15 percent allocation of funds to counties should be increased to 35 percent. The only challenge is for the national government to stop importation of maize, milk and wheat. This will boost the locally produced agricultural produce and earn farmers profit.”Mr Yusuf said.