Nairobi: The construction of the 12-kilometer Mjanaheri-Ngomeni link road in Magarini Sub-County has reached 50 percent completion. The development comes barely three months after President William Ruto commissioned the project, raising hopes of improved transport and economic activity in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Sh600 million road project is being implemented by the Coast Development Authority (CDA) under the Sh889 million Malindi Integrated Social Health Development Programme Phase II (MISHDP-II). The Italian Government funded the first phase of the programme, which was successfully implemented between 2006 and 2012. The second phase, which commenced in May 2022, will run up to 2027 and is also funded by the Italian Government through the National Treasury with a commitment of pound 6.4 million (approximately Sh889 million at the time of signing).
The Mjanaheri-Ngomeni road in Kilifi County is expected to open up the area to investment, stimulate business growth, and ease transportation, ultimately serving more than 600,000 residents of Magarini and Malindi. The road will facilitate access to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre, jointly managed by the Italian Space Agency and the Kenya Space Agency, and will spur the development of tourist establishments and fish markets.
CDA Managing Director Dr. Mwanasiti Bendera reported that the road project had consumed 70 percent of the total project funds. ‘The contractor has been on board since January this year, and so far we are at 50 percent completion. The contractor has done up to three kilometers of tarmac. They are opening up another two kilometers, which they will have completed in the next 4-5 days,’ explained the MD. She added, ‘We will be at six km of tarmac by the end of next week, and we will have opened up to 10km of the 12km. We are optimistic that this project is on course, and we are anticipating it to be ready by December this year, 2026.’
The MD commended stakeholders for their collaboration with the Authority and their unwavering commitment and support in ensuring the timely completion of the project. Collins Omondi, a representative of the contractor, mentioned that they had laid bituminous asphalt concrete on the first 2.4km, with plans to lay another 2.5km in the coming week. He expressed confidence that the project would be completed as planned, despite challenges caused by the weather and the ensuing crisis in the Middle East, which had affected the supply and cost of fuel as well as bituminous products.
Engineer Sila Bor, the site Engineer, stated that they had managed to maneuver some of the challenges from the onset, and work was now progressing well on the five-layer road. ‘We want to thank the government through the CDA and the Italian Corporation for having funded this project fully. The main activity here is sand harvesting. When we came, it was very pathetic. Right now, things are running smoothly,’ stated Eng. Bor.
The Project Management Committee Chairman, Kassim Abdalla, remarked that the construction of the road was a significant relief as the route was previously impassable, especially during the rainy season. He lauded the CDA and the Italian Agency for funding the road that will open up the area. ‘We believe once this road project is completed, the economic prospects of residents of Ngomeni, Mjanaheri, Garithe, Mwaeba, and its vicinities will improve. The major sources of livelihood are sand harvesting, fishing, and farming, which had challenges because of the deplorable road,’ stated Abdalla.
He added that pregnant mothers would no longer give birth on the way during referrals to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital, as the road would enable seamless referrals of patients. Elizabeth Matho, a resident of Mjanaheri, said they had been advocating for roads for many years, but it was only now that the Kenya Kwanza administration had heeded their call. ‘We believe by the end of the year, the road will be completed; it will improve security and ease transport,’ said Matho. She added, ‘There will be a reduction in exorbitant fares. Before, we used to pay Sh200 up to Ngomeni with a bodaboda over a distance of just 12km; if you have a parcel, it is Sh300. Now we are paying Sh150; once it is completed, we will pay Sh100. Businesses are now booming.’
