Fury as pathetic roads in Gatundu North paralyse economic activities
Residents of Mwimuto, Gatei, Gathaiti, Githobokoni and Kandakomu in Gatundu North are up in arms over the pathetic state of roads which are currently impenetrable, a situation that has paralysed economic activities in the villages.
The spur roads in the area are part of the 540 kilometers Mau Mau Road project that was to cover four Mt Kenya counties at a cost of Sh 30 billion.
The development has however remained a pipe dream for locals who are now immobilized.
Launched in 2020, the construction of the roads was hoped to enhance economic activities in the area that boasts a rich plantation of pineapples, avocados, tea and coffee for export, and dairy farming among other crops.
Three years down the line, the roads only underwent excavation before the construction materials left the site leaving them impassable.
As a result of the ongoing heavy rains, residents said the roads have become completely impassable making them stop all activities including transporting farm produce to various markets some of which end up rotting at the farms.
Today, several school buses got stuck along the muddy road forcing school-going children therein to trek kilometers away to catch up with their studies.
According to residents, the situation has been the same since heavy rains started pouring with no word from government officials including elected leaders from the constituency.
Bearing the brunt are women some of whom have been forced to give birth along the pathetic roads as motorbikes and vehicles are unable to move to Igegania Level Four Hospital – the only major facility in the constituency.
Residents decried that the government which seeks to build a KES 13 billion dam in the area has completely failed to give them its ears on matters of infrastructural development.
Unlike in the neighboring constituencies, the locals lamented the abandonment of Gatundu North on matters of development and called on the government to promptly intervene.