Residents of Kandakomu, Marigi, Gatei, Watathi and Gathaiti villages in Gatundu North have raised Sh180,000 to facilitate rehabilitation of derelict Kandakomu-Marigi road that is impassable.
In a fundraiser event that saw locals contribute from as low as Sh50, users of the damaged road said the money would be utilised to fill huge, numerous potholes along the busy stretch that they use to transport their farm produce.
The villagers produce pineapples, passion fruits, tea, coffee and avocados and sell the neighbouring Kamwangi, Gatukuyu and Thika markets.
However, due to the damaged road, their produce has been rotting in the farms. Already, several vehicles and motorbikes have been damaged while plying through the stretch.
Led by David Ng’ang’a, the residents gathered at Gathaiti village for the fundraiser that saw men, women and youth give the little they had to salvage their road situation.
Expedite repairs
Meanwhile, A group of transporters plying between Kenya and Uganda wants the government to expedite the repair of Eldoret-Nakuru road at Timboroa market to facilitate resumption of movement of goods and service along the busy highway.
Their plea comes amid heavy downpour that continues to wreak havoc in most parts of the county causing displacement of hundreds of families from their homes including loss of lives and property.
The long distance truck drivers said the closure of the road by the government through the Kenya National Highway Authority had not only inconvenienced them but also exposed them to huge economic losses.
Led by Edwin Kptoo who transports cargo from Mombasa to Uganda and Rwanda, faulted the government for taking too long to repair the damaged section of the road which has caused the snarl up that has stretched over 20 kilometres on both sides of the closed road at Timboroa market.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Kiptoo said that as transporters drawn from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and DRC Congo, they were incurring losses running into millions of shillings and implored on the national government to speed up the repair of the road.
“We are incurring increased costs on a daily basis since the closure of the busy Eldoret-Nakuru highway by KeNHA following the destruction of a section of the road at Timboroa market three days ago,” said Kiptoo.
