Damaged roads in Homa bay repaired

Homa Bay,

Thursday July 11, 2024

KNA by Daline Ochieng/Davis Langat

Homa bay county government constructed 367 kilometers of rural access roads during the last financial year.

The County Executive Committee for Roads, Public Works and Transport, Danish Onyango said the county was committed to ensuring seamless connectivity by constructing new roads and maintaining the existing ones. 

At the same time, Onyango said the county government had embarked on reconstruction of some of the roads damaged by the recent floods to ease movement of traffic.

 The recent floods caused significant damage, with over 220 kilometers of roads requiring repairs, he added.

According to Onyango, "The department is working on a balanced approach to address both flood-damaged roads and construction of new ones as desired by the residents." 

  "This year we target to do 267 kilometers, a decrease from last year's target because we are still waiting for floodwaters to recede before commencing construction,” he said.

The county Executive said focus on road construction goes beyond just convenience, but also enabling business growth.

 "Better roads will allow businesses to operate more efficiently, leading to higher incomes for entrepreneurs," Onyango said. 

He said improved transportation system will benefit farmers, particularly those dealing with perishable goods like pineapples and fish, by enabling faster deliveries to markets.

 Onyango said the road projects will also create employment opportunities for the residents and stimulate the local economy. 

He said construction materials like cement, sand, stone, and murram are sourced within the county, further boosting local businesses.

However, Onyango said the main challenge was delays in funding from the national government making it difficult to pay contractors on time. 

Additionally, he refuted claims of discrimination in the award of tenders saying priority is normally given to local residents whenever possible.

Courtesy; KNA