- Meru gets Ksh39 billion road projects.
- Meru town to upgrade 17km of roads for Ksh3.7 billion.
- Farmers to get cheaper fertiliser and certified maize seed.
Meru County is set to benefit from a major road construction programme costing Ksh39 billion, a move the national government says will open up rural areas and cut transport costs for residents.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said farmers in the area will benefit from newly reduced prices of fertiliser and certified maize seed under President William Ruto’s administration.
Several roads that residents had pursued for years are now under construction or at various stages of implementation, the Deputy President revealed, including the Kionyo-Kanyakine-Muti O’Kiama-Ketha Kanaro-Mitunguu road.
Speaking at Kanyakine market in South Imenti constituency, Meru County, Prof Kindiki said the government had provided resources for the road and expressed confidence that the contractor would complete the project.
“We have sought this road for a very long time. I have seen that it is progressing seamlessly after it started well. We have a good contractor. This contractor will deliver. Meru County will benefit from Ksh39 billion road projects while farmers will get cheaper seeds and fertiliser,” said the Deputy President.
He said the government will tackle the county’s infrastructure needs progressively, with projects being implemented according to available resources.
“We will do all the roads one at a time, step by step. Rome was not built in a day,” Prof Kindiki said.
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Another major investment will target Meru town, where 17 kilometres of roads will be upgraded at a cost of Ksh3.7 billion, the DP said.
Funding and a contractor were already in place, the second in command added.
“The government will also implement 21 market projects in the county, including the Gakoromone market, alongside investments in water and sewerage infrastructure. The road projects are meant to improve household incomes while better roads would make it easier for farmers to move produce to markets and access essential services,” said Prof Kindiki.
These announcements come as farmers receive relief on the cost of production. A 50kg bag of subsidised fertiliser is now available at Ksh2,000, down from Ksh7,000 in 2022, while the price of certified maize seed has been cut by half starting this season.
A kilogramme now costs Ksh150, down from Ksh300. A 2kg pack costs Ksh300, while 10kg and 25kg packs cost Ksh1,500 and Ksh3,750 respectively.
According to the government, the seed subsidy targets about 40 million kilogrammes and represents an estimated Ksh6 billion investment to boost farmer incomes.
Prof Kindiki also cited electricity connections, teacher and Community Health Promoter recruitment, construction of classrooms and laboratories, expansion of technical education and increased access to healthcare through the Social Health Authority (SHA) among the government’s interventions in Meru.
He urged leaders to concentrate on projects with lasting economic and social value rather than short-term political gains.
“Development is for generations. 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.
By John Majau
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