Nairobi: Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hailed the National Infrastructure Fund as a solution to Kenya’s road financing challenges, promising major roads across Mt Kenya East. Professor Kindiki emphasized that the next significant dual-carriageway project, following the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, would extend from Makutano through Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru, and Maua.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kindiki underscored the economic benefits of the planned infrastructure, stating, “After the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, the next dual carriageway we are planning for will be in this region and I can assure you it will be a major economic boost to people living and doing business around Makutano, Mwea, Embu, Chuka, Meru, and Maua.” His remarks were made during an inspection of the Sh2.5 billion Kibugua-Mukuuni-Itugururu-Kabururu-Kamaindi-Murugi Road Junction project in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency, Tharaka Nithi. The road is anticipated to enhance movement and improve market access for farmers.
The Deputy President highlighted the government’s focus on projects that open up economic opportunities, improve connectivity, and bolster market access. He stressed that completing major transport corridors would facilitate the movement of goods and services between counties, benefiting residents, traders, and farmers. The National Infrastructure Fund, he noted, would gather significant resources for major road projects, moving away from the approach of spreading resources over short stretches.
“We have to stop with things of five, six, 15 kilometers, because if we continue at that speed, this country will remain behind for a long time,” Kindiki said. He projected that the government aimed to transform Kenya into a construction site over the next 10 to 15 years and elevate it to a first-world country within two to three decades.
During his visit to Maara Constituency, Kindiki inspected the Marima-Mumbuni-Makutano Road, which aims to extend the completed Makutano-Kathwana road and connect it to the Thuci-Nkubu road. He commended the young workforce involved in the Chuka project, noting that infrastructure development was generating jobs for skilled workers and artisans.
The Deputy President stated that the infrastructure initiative was designed to support employment by offering opportunities for contractors, engineers, technicians, artisans, and workers, especially young people. “I am very happy to see young people actively working. When we see this kind of energy, focus, professionals and artisans, we feel very good, and we see that our country has hope,” he remarked.
Turning his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kindiki challenged him to account for his development record while in office. He urged Gachagua to clarify to Tharaka Nithi residents which roads, water projects, and electricity connections he facilitated before criticizing the current administration.
“Before he talks about ‘one term’, ‘Kasongo’ and ‘Soprano’, firstly, he should tell the people of Tharaka Nithi, when he was in power, which road he constructed, which water projects he brought, and which electricity he brought,” Kindiki stated. He emphasized that he never undermined Gachagua during his tenure, citing his two years as Interior Cabinet Secretary spent addressing national security issues.
Kindiki revealed that Gachagua had suggested he resign from the Government during their fallout, a proposition he declined. “This is our government. We cannot leave because if we leave, other people who never voted for this government would be called in and they would take over our government,” he explained.
He further challenged critics of Ruto’s administration to present their development records for comparison with the Kenya Kwanza administration. “Let those who are criticising us put their development record on the table when they held positions of influence, then let Kenyans compare their scorecard with ours,” Kindiki concluded.
