The trading activities are set to boom in Gatundu South as implementation of infrastructural projects gains momentum.
The government is tarmacking over 180 kilometers of roads across the constituency at a cost of Ksh2.3 billion, projects that are taunted to boost trade and change livelihoods.
On Wednesday, area MP Gabriel Kagombe launched the tarmacking of Gathage-Kahuguini-Kwa Magemio-Gwa Kimanga road, a stretch that has been an eyesore and a hindrance to more developments in the area for decades.
Kagombe said that the 5.5-kilometer road is set to unlock the region’s growth potential and bring an end to decades of miseries caused by its deplorable state to locals.
He averred that the crucial project is set to turnaround the region’s economy noting that farmers will easily take their farm produce to markets as well as open the region for more investments.
Land and properties are also expected to appreciate once the project is complete.
He noted that the ongoing road projects across the constituency are set to position Gatundu as a regional trade hub especially for farm produce as the region is mainly agricultural.
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“President William Ruto has assured us that resources for the projects are intact and contractors are already back on sites. Here in Gatundu we have already completed the Kagema-Karatu road. We are now doing this stretch among many others across the constituency,” Kagombe said.
With improved infrastructure, more development projects including markets in will be put up with funds for the projects already set aside according to the MP.
“Plans are already at an advanced stage to put up a modern organic produce market at Gathage which will play a pivotal role in bolstering this region’s economy. With a better road infrastructure, our farmers will be able to reach the markets in a short time and also more job opportunities will be created for our youth,” Kagombe said.
The MP also reiterated that other key road projects including the Kiganjo-Mumbu-ini-Gitwe road, which is part of the Mau Mau road project will resume soon noting that the government has already released resources for the project.
“The contractor has already received funds for the same and we’ll be meeting him to lay down a proper plan for implementation of the project,” the lawmaker noted.
Locals welcomed the project terming it a shot-in-the-arm noting that the road has been a thorn in the flesh for decades dragging the region behind development-wise.
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They decried that the crucial stretch has been fodder for politicians for years noting that it has been used as a campaign tool only for it to be abandoned after the electioneering period.
The residents led by Beatrice Wangari and Vincent Juma decried that they have been facing an uphill task to get their farm produce to the market due to the pathetic state of the road. Locals in the area are mainly tea, arrow roots, poultry and daily farmers and they can only access markets by playing the route.
“We are optimistic that our fortunes are set to turnaround with such improved infrastructure. This road will come along with other developments including water connections, markets among others. This is what we need as residents, life-changing developments,” Juma said.
They quipped that upon completion; the road will not only change the region’s face but will improve transport and the area’s economic growth.
By John Kamau
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